Oscillations

An object on the end of a spring is oscillating in simple harmonic

motion. If the amplitude of oscillation is doubled, how does this affect
the oscillation period T and the object’s maximum speed vmax?
(A) T and vmax both double.
(B) T remains the same and vmax doubles.
(C) T and vmax both remain the same.
(D) T doubles and vmax remains the same.
(E) T remains the same and vmax increases by a factor of √2

Answer: The period of simple harmonic motion, T  2 m / k is independent of

the amplitude of motion (depends only on mass and force constant). The maximum
speed, however, v max  wA depends linearly on the amplitude, so it doubles.

#1     30 s
 Oscillations

This is an x-t graph for an object in simple harmonic motion. At

which of the following times does the object have the most negative
velocity vx?
(A) t = T/4
(B) t = T/2
(C) t = 3T/4
(D) t = T

Answer: The maximal speed will be when the object passes zero. (There is zero
speed at the end turning points). Thus points (A) and (C) will have maximal speed.
To determine the sign recall that velocity = slope of x-t graph, so point (A) is
negative slope, thus velocity

#2    30 s
 Oscillations

This is an x-t graph for an object in simple harmonic motion. At which

of the following times does the object have the most negative
acceleration ax?
(A) t = T/4
(B) t = T/2
(C) t = 3T/4
(D) t = T

Answer: The maximal acceleration is when the object reaches the endpoint
at (B) or (D) and turns around (F=ma and Fspring= kx ). The force on the object in
the positive x region (x=0 to +A ) must be in the negative direction (so it slows
down and reverses direction), so also negative acceleration.
Fx 0 +A

#3     30 s
 Oscillations

Identical cubes of mass m on frictionless

horizontal surfaces are attached to two springs,
with spring constants k1 and k2, in the three
cases shown at right. What is the relationship
between their periods of oscillation?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)

Answer:
A: , ∆ ∆ ∆ where ∆ ∆ =∆  +
B: , ∆ ∆ ∆ where ∆ ∆ =∆  +
·
C: ∆ ∆ ∆ ,  1/ 1/ +1/  =
#4     1 min So, , ∝ 1/ 
 Oscillations

This is an x-t graph for an object connected to a spring and moving in

simple harmonic motion. At which of the following times is the
potential energy of the spring the greatest?
(A) t = T/8 x T/8 T/4 3T/8 T/2
(B) t = T/4
(C) t = 3T/8 t

(D) t = T/2

Answer:
1
The maximal PE of the spring is when it is at maximal amplitude, U sp ,max  kA 2 .
2
For the given choices, only option (D) is a maximal amplitude point.

#5     30 s
 Oscillations

This is an x‐t graph for an object connected to a spring and moving in

simple harmonic motion. At which of the following times is the
kinetic energy of the object the greatest?
(A) t = T/8 x T/8 T/4 3T/8 T/2
(B) t = T/4
(C) t = 3T/8 t

(D) t = T/2

Answer:
The maximal KE of the object is when it has the greatest speed, which occurs when
the spring has minimal Potential Energy. The spring has minimal PE at point (B).
T
E  K  U el  constant U el  0 at time , so K  maximal
4

#6     30 s