SIMPLE HARMONIC MOTION 1

EXERCISE – 1: BASIC OBJECTIVE QUESTIONS

Periodic Motion and Oscillatory Motion Sol. Assertion is incorrect and Reason is correct, by
definition of velocity and acceleration of SHM.
1. Which of the following equations does not represent a At extreme position, the velocity is zero but
simple harmonic motion? acceleration is not zero.
(a) y = a sin  t (b) y = b cos  t
4. The function sin 2  t represents
(c) y = a sin  t + b cos  t (d) y = a tan  t
(a) a periodic but simple harmonic motion with a
Ans. (d)
period 2 / 
d2 y
Sol.    2 y [Differential equations of SHM] (b) a periodic but not simple harmonic motion with a
dt 2
period  / 
d2y (c) a simple harmonic motion with a period 2 / 
(a)    2 a sin  t
dt 2
(d) a simple harmonic motion with a period  / 
d2y Ans. (d)
(b)    2 b cos t
dt 2 1  cos 2t
Sol. y 
d2 y 2
(c)    2 ( a sin  t  b cos t )
dt 2 1 cos 2t
y 
dy 2 2
(d)  a  sec2 ( t )
dt Hence, motion is SHM.
d2y 5. Out of the following functions representing motion of
 a  2 (2 sec t ) (sec  t ) (tan t ) a particle which represents SHM?
dt 2
(1) y = sin ωt – cos ωt (2) y = sin3ωt
d2y
Hence    2 y not the equation of SHM.  3 
dt 2 (3) y  5cos   3t  (4) y  1  t  2 t 2
 4 
2. A body is moving in a room with a velocity of 20 m/s
(a) Only (1) and (2)
perpendicular to the two walls separated by 5 m.
(b) Only (1)
There is no friction and the collisions with the walls
(c) Only (4) does not represent SHM
are elastic. The motion of the body is
(d) Only (1) and (3)
(a) not periodic
Ans. (d)
(b) periodic but not simple harmonic
(c) periodic and simple harmonic  1 1 
Sol. 1 y  sin t  cos t  2 sin t  cos t 
(d) periodic with variable time period  2 2 
Ans. (b)  
Sol. Motion will be periodic because ball repeats its  2 sin  t  
 4
motion after regular interval. The periodic motion
2
will not be SHM as force is not directly proportional SHM with period T 

to the displacement.
3. Assertion: In extreme position of a particle executing 1
 2  y  sin 3 t  3sin t  sin 3t 
S.H.M., both velocity and acceleration are zero. 4
Reason: In S.H.M., acceleration always acts towards 2
Periodic with T  , but not an SHM
mean position. 
(a) Both Assertion and Reason are true and Reason is 3 3 
the correct explanation of Assertion.  3 y  5cos   
 3t   5cos  3t  
 4   4 
(b) Both Assertion and Reason are true but Reason is
2
NOT the correct explanation of Assertion. SHM with period T 
3
(c) Assertion is true but Reason is false.
(d) Assertion is false but Reason is true.  4 y  1  t  2 t 2 v    22 t a  22
Ans. (d) Non-periodic motion Only (1) and (3) are SHM
SIMPLE HARMONIC MOTION 2

Simple Harmonic Motion 8. For the two curves choose the correct option.
6. A particle of mass 0.1 kg is executing SHM of
amplitude 0.1 m. When the particle passes through
–3
the mean position, its K.E. is 8 × 10 J. The equation
of motion of the particle, when the initial phase of
o
oscillation is 45 , is
   
(a) y  0.1sin  3t   (b) y  0.1cos  3t   (a) (Amplitude)A > (Amplitude)B
 4  4
(b) (Time period)A > (Time period)B
   
(c) y  0.1sin  4t   (d) y  0.1cos  4t   (c) Both (a) and (b) are correct
 4   4
(d) Both (a) and (b) are incorrect
Ans. (c) Ans. (a)
Sol. A = 0.1, m = 0.1 kg Sol. In the given figure the
1 (Amplitude)A < (Amplitude)B and
So, KEmax  m 2 A2  8  103
2 (Time period)A = (Time period)B
1
 (0.1)  2 (0.1) 2  8  10 3 9. The relation between acceleration and displacement
2 of four particles are given below:
 4 which one of the particles is executing simple
So, x  A sin (t   ) harmonic motion?
2
= 0.1 sin (4t + 45º) (a) ax = + 2x (b) ax = + 2x
7. The displacement of a particle is represented by the (c) ax = – 2x
2
(d) ax = – 2x
  Ans. (d)
equation: y = 3 cos   2t 
4  Sol. For SHM
The motion of the particle is: a  2 x
2 10. A particle executing SHM has a maximum speed of
(a) simple harmonic with period
 2
30 cm/s and a maximum acceleration of 60 cm/s . The
 period of oscillation is:
(b) simple harmonic with period
 
(a)  s (b) s
(c) periodic but not simple harmonic 2
(d) non-periodic 
Ans. (b) (c) 2 s (d) s
4
  Ans. (a)
Sol. y  3 cos   2t 
 4  Sol. v max  A
    30  A … (1)
 3 sin     2t  
2 4  amax  A 2
   60  A 2 … (2)
 3 sin  2 t  
 4 Divide (2) by (1)
2  2
T  2
2   2
T
 T   sec
11. For a particle in SHM, if the amplitude of the
displacement is a and the amplitude of velocity is v
the amplitude of acceleration is:
v2
(a) va (b)
a
v2 v
(c) (d)
2a a
SIMPLE HARMONIC MOTION 3

Ans. (b) 14. The displacement of an oscillating particle varies with

Sol. Given amplitude = a time (in seconds) according to the equation
v   t 1
Maximum velocity  a  v  a    y = sin    , where y is in cm. The maximum
a 2  2 3
2
v v 2
acceleration (in m/s) of the particle is: [take  2  10]
Maximum acceleration  a 2  a   
a
  a Ans. (0.62)
12. What is the ratio of maximum acceleration to the   
Sol. y  sin  t   so   , A  1 cm
maximum velocity of a simple harmonic oscillator? 4 6 4
2 2 
(a)  (b)
 amax   2 A     0.625
 16 
1
(c) (d) 2 Phasors in SHM

15. The phase difference between x1  A sin  t and
Ans. (a)
Sol. maximum velocity  a x 2  A cos  t is:

maximum acceleration  a 2
 
(a) (b)
2 4
a 2
ratio    
a (c) (d)
3 6
13. A mass m is performing linear simple harmonic
Ans. (a)
motion, then which of the following graph represents
Sol. x1  sin t
correctly the variation of acceleration a corresponding
to linear velocity v?  
x2  cos t  sin  t  
v2 v2  2

Hence phase shift 
2
(a) (b) 16. The time taken by a particle executing S.H.M. of
period T to move from the mean position to half the
a2 a2 maximum displacement is
v2 v2 (a) T/2 (b) T/4
(c) T/8 (d) T/12
Ans. (d)
(c) (d) Sol. Lets say equation of SHM is
x  A (sin  t )
a2 a2
Hence at t = 0 particle is at mean position
So for particle to be at half the maximum value
Ans. (d)
Let’s say time taken is t0 then
Sol. x  A sin  t
A
dx  A sin (t0 )
v   A cos t 2
dt
1 
 v 2   2 A2 cos2 t ... (1)  sin t0   t0 
2 6
dv   T
a   2 A sin t  t0   
at 6  2  12
6 
 a 2   4 A2 sin 2 t ...(2)  T 
 2 v 2  a 2   4 A2 cos2 t   4 A2 sin 2 t 17. A particle executes simple harmonic motion between
x = –A and x = + A. The time taken for it to go from
  2 v 2  a 2   4 A2
0 to A/2 is t1 and to go from A/2 to A is t2. Then
 ky  x  C (a) t1 < t2 (b) t1 > t2
(c) t1 = t2 (d) t1 = 2 t2
SIMPLE HARMONIC MOTION 4

Ans. (a) 12
t sec
Sol. 5
19. Two particles are executing simple harmonic motion
of the same amplitude A and frequency  along the
x–axis. Their mean position is separated by distance
Time taken by the particle from x = 0 to x = +A is T/4 x0 (x0 > A). If the maximum separation between them
A is (x0 + A), the phase difference between their motion
Time taken from 0 to is
2
 
A (a) (b)
 A sin (t1 ) 3 4
2
1  
sin (t1 )  (c) (d)
2 6 2
Ans. (a)

t1  Sol. We know formula for phase difference,
6
x  A sin  t   
2 
t1   x1  A sin  t  1 
T 6
T x 2  A sin  t  2 
t1  sec
12
Now, x1  x 2  A  sin  t  1   sin  t  2  
A
Time taken from to A   
2    1  2  
x '  2A  cos  t  1 2  sin  2  
T   2   
t2   t1
4   
Here, A  2A sin  1 2 
T T  2 
t2  
4 12
   1
T sin  1 2  
t2   2  2
6
1  2 
t2  t1 
2 6
18. Two pendulums of time period 3 s and 8 s

respectively starts oscillating simultaneously from 1  2 
two opposite extreme positions. After how much time 3
they will be in the same phase? 20. The radius of circle, the period of revolution, initial
24 12 position and sense of revolution are indicated in the
(a) s (b) s fig.
5 5
24 12
(c) s (d) s
11 11
Ans. (b)
Sol. y1  A sin (1t   )
y2  A sin (2 t )
They are in the same phase
1t    2 t
(2  1 ) t   y – projection of the radius vector of rotating particle
P is:
1 1
   2 t    t 
3 8 (a) y(t) = 4 sin   , where y in m
2
5
 2t  1  3t 
24 (b) y(t) = 3 cos   , where y in m
 2 
SIMPLE HARMONIC MOTION 5

 t  (d) both (a) and (c) are correct

(c) y(t) = 3 cos   , where y in m Ans. (c)
2
(d) y(t) = – 3 cos 2πt, where y in m 1
Sol. E  mA2 2
Ans. (c) 2
Sol. At t = 0 displacement is maximum. Therefore cosine A – amplitude
function with T = 4s. m – mass
2   – angular frequency
  rad / s 24. The expression for displacement of an object in SHM
4 2
 T
y  a cos t  3cos t is x = A cos (t). The potential energy at t  is
2 2
21. A particle is executing simple harmonic motion with (take potential energy at mean position to be zero):
frequency 5. The frequency at which its kinetic 1 1
(a) kA2 (b) kA2
energy changes into potential energy is 2 8
Ans. (10) 1 2
Sol. In one oscillation KE converts into PE twice as (c) kA (d) zero
4
particles crosses mean position twice. Ans. (a)
Sol. x  A cos  t
T  2 T 
At t  , x  A cos   A
2  T 2
1 2 1 1
Potential energy  kx  k ( A) 2  kA2
2 2 2
Energy in Simple Harmonic Motion 25. A body executes simple harmonic motion. The
potential energy (PE), the kinetic energy (KE) and
22. For a particle executing simple harmonic motion, the total energy (TE) are measured as function of
displacement x is given by x = A sin t. Identify the displacement x. Which of the following statements is
graph, which represents the variation of potential true?
energy (PE) as a function of time t and displacement (a) KE is maximum when x = 0
x (b) TE is zero when x = 0
(c) KE is maximum when x is maximum
(d) PE is maximum when x = 0
Ans. (a)
Sol. x  A sin t
1
KE  mA2 2 cos 2 t
2
1
PE  mA2 2 sin 2  t
2
1
TE  mA2 2
2
KE is maximum at x = 0 and minimum at extremes
(a) I, III (b) II, III
PE is minimum at x = 0 and maximum at extremes
(c) I, IV (d) II, IV
TE is constant
Ans. (b)
26. The kinetic energy of a particle executing S.H.M. is
1 1
Sol. PE  Kx 2  K A2 sin t at x = 0, PE = 0 16 J when it is in its mean position. If the amplitude
2 2
of oscillations is 25 cm and the mass of the particle is
23. If a conservative force is acting on a system in SHM.
5.12 kg, the time period of its oscillation in seconds is
The total mechanical energy is:
(a) /5 (b) 2 
(a) time dependent
(c) 5  (d) 20 
(b) position dependent
Ans. (a)
(c) amplitude dependent
SIMPLE HARMONIC MOTION 6

1 Spring Block System

Sol. KEmax  m  2 A2  16
2 29. A mass of 1 kg attached to the bottom of a spring has
1 a certain frequency of vibration. The following mass
  5.12   2  (0.25) 2  16
2 has to be added to it in order to reduce the frequency
16  2 by half.
 2 
(5.12  (0.25) 2 (a) 1 kg (b) 2 kg
   10 rad/s (c) 3 kg (d) 4 kg
Ans. (c)
2 2 
T   sec Sol. f 
 10 5
27. The force constant of a weightless spring is 16 N/m. k k
A body of mass 1.0 kg suspended from it is pulled f1 m1 f 1
  
down through 5 cm from it’s mean position and then f2 k f k
released. The maximum kinetic energy of the system m2 2 m 1
(spring + body) will be
–2 –2
 m 1  2
(a) 2 × 10 J (b) 4 × 10 J
–2 –2  m  3kg
(c) 8 × 10 J (d) 16 × 10 J
30. The period of oscillation of a mass m suspended from
Ans. (a)
a spring is 2 seconds. If along with it another mass of
Sol. When 1.0 kg body is suspended from spring, at its
2 kg is also suspended, the period of oscillation
equilibrium position Mg = kx
increases by one second. The mass m will be
1 g g
x  m (a) 2 kg (b) 1 kg
16 16
(c) 1.6 kg (d) 2.6 kg
Since spring is pulled from mean position by 5 cm. Ans. (c)
So potential energy stored in it will appears as max
m
K.E. Sol. T  2
2 k
1  5 
So, KEmax  16    m
2  100  So, 2  2
k
 8  25 104
m2
 2 102 J 3  2
k
28. The potential energy of a harmonic oscillation of
m2 3
mass 2 kg in its mean position is 5 J. If its total  
energy is 9 J and its amplitude is 0.01 m, its time m 2
  4 (m  2)  9 m
period of oscillation is s , find the value of n
n  5m = 8
Ans. (100)  m = 1.6 kg
Sol. TE = PE + KE 31. In the figure shown below, the block is moved
At mean position (PE) is minimum so K.E is sideways by a distance A. The magnitude of net force
maximum on the block is:
Hence 9 J  ( KE )max  5 J  ( KE ) max  4 J
(KE)max = 4 J
1
 m  2 A2  4 J
2
1
 (2)  2 (0.01) 2  4
2
4 2 (a) (k1 – k2) A (b) (k2 – k1) A
  2
  200 rad / s (c) (k1 + k2) A (d) None of the above
(0.01) 0.01
2 2  Ans. (c)
T   sec
 200 100
SIMPLE HARMONIC MOTION 7

Sol. The spring on the left of the block is elongated and frequencies of series and parallel arrangements, what
that on right is compressed both exert a force on the f
is s ?
block towards the mean position and they add up. fp
Feff  A (k1  k2 )
32. The time period of a spring mass system shown
below is equal to:

(a) 1 : 2 (b) 2 : 1
2m m
(a) 2 (b) 2 (c) 1 : 3 (d) 3 : 1
k 4k Ans. (a)
2 2 m 1 k
(c) (d) None of these Sol. f   f  keff
k 2 m
Ans. (c) k
Sol. keff  k  k  2k ks  , k p  2k
2
m m k
T  2  2 fs ks 1 1
keff 2k   2  
fp kp 2k 4 2
m 2 2 m
T  4 2  
2k k
33. There are two springs mass systems as shown in the
figures. Resistive forces are absent everywhere. Let
the time periods of two systems are T1 and T2. The
relation between T1 and T2 is: 35. A block of mass 1 kg hangs without vibrating at the
end of a spring whose force constant is 200 N/m and
which is attached to the ceiling of an elevator. The
elevator is rising with an upward acceleration of g/3
when the acceleration suddenly ceases. The angular
frequency of the block after the acceleration ceases is
(a) 13 rad/s (b) 14 rad/s
T2 (c) 15 rad/s (d) None of these
(a) T1 
2 Ans. (b)
T k
(b) T2  1 Sol. 
T2 m
(c) T1 = T2 200
  14rad / s
(d) Cannot establish the relation between them 1
Ans. (c) A
Sol. For both systems both mass and spring constant are 36. A block is left from x = + A, its speed at x  is:
2
the same. ( = 2 rad/s).
m
So, T  2 ,  T1  T2
k
34. Two identical springs are connected in series and
parallel as shown in the figure. If fs and fp are

(a) (3A) m/s (b) ( 3 A) m/ s

SIMPLE HARMONIC MOTION 8

(c) (2A) m/s (d) ( 2 A) m/ s m

Sol. For a spring, T  2
Ans. (b) k
Sol. x = A sin t = A sin 2t For each piece, spring constant = nk
v = A cos t = 2A cos 2t m
 T   2
A 1 nk
 A sin 2t  sin 2t 
2 2 m 1 T
3
 T   2   .
 cos 2t  k n n
2 40. Two bodies M and N of equal masses are suspended
3 from two separate massless springs of spring constant
v  2A  3A
2 k1 and k2 respectively. If the two bodies oscillate
37. The displacement of an object attached to a spring vertically such that their maximum velocities are
and executing simple harmonic motion is given by equal, the ratio of the amplitude of M to that of N is
x  2 102 cos( t) m. The time at which the k1 k1
(a) (b)
maximum speed first occurs is: k2 k2
(a) 0.5 s (b) 0.75 s
(c) 0.125 s (d) 0.25 s k2 k2
(c) (d)
Ans. (a) k1 k1
–2
Sol. Given, displacement x = 2 × 10 cos  t Ans. (d)
Sol. (v max )1  (v max ) 2
dx
The magnitude of velocity, v   2  10 2 sin  t A11  A22
dt
So, the velocity will be maximum when sin  t  1 A1 2

where A2 1
 3 k
t  , , ...... 
2 2 m
  k
So, for first maximum,  t  or t  0.5s
2
38. A force of 6.4 N stretches a vertical spring by 0.1m. A1 k
 2
The mass that must be suspended from the spring so A2 k1
that it oscillates with a period of (/4) second is 41. A block is in SHM on a frictionless surface as shown
(a) (/4) kg (b) 1 kg in the figure. The position x = 0 shows the
(c) () kg (d) 10 kg unstretched position of the spring.
Ans. (b)
Sol. F = kx  6.4 = k (0.1)  k = 64 N/m
m
T  2
k
 m
 2
4 64 Choose the correct option with reference to the above
system.
m 1 m 1
     m  1 kg (a) +A and –A are maximum displacements where, A
64 8 64 64
is amplitude
39. If a spring has time period T, and is cut into n equal (b) x = 0 indicate the equilibrium position
parts, then the time period of each part will be (c) The block executes to and fro motion about the
T mean position, when pulled aside and released
(a) T n (b)
n (d) All of the above
(c) nT (d) T Ans. (d)
Ans. (b) Sol. A is the amplitude and A are maximum
displacements.
SIMPLE HARMONIC MOTION 9

x = 0 is mean position and block executes SHM.
42. If the block is pulled by a distance x and left, the
block will start oscillating. The value of x, so that at a
moment when speed of the block become zero the
spring become unstretched.
44. One end of a spring of force constant k is fixed to a
vertical wall and the other to a block of mass m
resting on a smooth horizontal surface. There is
another wall at a distance x 0 from the block. The
spring is then compressed by 2x 0 and released. The
 m
time taken to strike the wall is , find the value
n k
of n

mg 2k
(a) (b)
2k mg
mg 2mg
(c) (d) Ans. (1.5)
k k
Sol. After compression
Ans. (c)
1 2
Sol. mgx  kx
2
2mg
x
k

Total Time taken to strike the wall = t  t AB  t BC

43. A coin is placed on a horizontal platform which T

t  t BC
undergoes vertical simple harmonic motion of angular 4
frequency  . The amplitude of oscillation is  2 
x 0  2x 0 sin   t BC 
gradually increased. The coin will leave contact with  T 
the platform for the first time 1  2  
  sin   t BC 
(a) at the highest position of the platform 2  T 
(b) at the mean position of the platform  2
g   t BC
(c) at an amplitude of 2 6 T
 T
 t BC 
g2 12
(d) for an amplitude of
2 T T 4T
t  
Ans. (c) 4 12 12
Sol. In vertical simple harmonic motion, maximum T
t
acceleration (a 2 ) and so the maximum force 3
(ma 2 ) will be at extreme positions. At highest m
T  2
k
position, force will be towards mean position and so it
will be downwards. At lowest position, force will be 2 m
t AC 
towards mean position and so it will be upwards. This 3 k
is opposite to weight direction of the coin. The coin
Angular SHM
will leave contact with the platform for the first time
when m(a 2 )  mg at the lowest position of the 45. If we do an experiment by swinging a small ball by a
thread of length 100 cm, what will be the approximate
platform.
SIMPLE HARMONIC MOTION 10

time for complete to and fro periodic motion if the 48. A simple pendulum is oscillating without damping, as
swinging angle is very small? shown in figure. When the displacement of the bob is

(a) 4 s (b) 2 s less than maximum, its acceleration vector a is
(c) 6 s (d) 1 s correctly shown in
Ans. (b)
l 1m
Sol. T  2  2  2s
g 9.8 m / s 2
(a) (b)
46. What is the velocity of the bob of a simple pendulum
at its mean position, if it is able to rise to vertical a
–2
height of 10 cm? (g = 9.8 ms ). a

(c) (d)
a
–1 –1
a
(a) 2.2 ms (b) 1.8 ms
–1 –1 Ans. (c)
(c) 1.4 ms (d) 0.6 ms
Sol.
Ans. (c)
Sol. From conservation of energy
1
mv 2  mgh  v  2 gh
2
 v  2  9.8  0.1  1.96
 v  1.4 m / s
47. A man measures time period of a simple pendulum Resultant acceleration should be given by vectorial
inside a stationary lift and find it to be T. If the lift sum of centripetal acceleration and tangential
starts accelerating upwards with an acceleration g/4, (acceleration) (at).
then the time period of pendulum will be 49. A simple pendulum is suspended from the ceiling of a
2T 5T lift. When the lift is at rest its time period is T. With
(a) (b)
5 2 what acceleration should the lift be accelerated
upwards in order to reduce its period to T/2? (g is
5 2
(c) (d) acceleration due to gravity).
2T 5T (a) 2g (b) 3g
Ans. (a) (c) 4g (d) g
 Ans. (b)
Sol. T  2 … (1)
g l
Sol. T  2
When lift starts accelerating g
 As the lift moves up g becomes g + a
T   2
g eff 1
As T 
g 5g g
g eff  g  
4 4 T ga
  g  a  4 g  3g  a
4 T g
T   2 … (2) 2
5g
50. A hollow sphere is filled with water through the small
Divide 1 by 2
hole in it. It is then hung by a long thread and made to
T 2
 oscillate. As the water slowly flow out of the hole at
T 5 the bottom, the period of oscillation will:
SIMPLE HARMONIC MOTION 11

(a) continuously decrease 2

v   a 2  x 2 and  
(b) continuously increase T
(c) first decrease then increase where, x = displacement
(d) first increase then decrease 2
2 2  a 
Ans. (d) v a    at x  a / 2
Sol. The time period of the pendulum T  2
l 2   3a  3 a
T  2 v   
g T  2  T

 T l 53. A simple pendulum is made of a body which is a

hollow sphere containing mercury suspended by
Initially the centre of mass of the sphere is at the
means of a wire. If a little mercury is drained off, the
centre of the sphere. As the water slowly flows out of
the hole at the bottom, the centre of mass of the period of pendulum will:
liquid (hollow sphere) first goes on downward and (a) remain unchanged (b) increase
then upward. (c) decrease (d) become erratic
hence, the effective length of the pendulum first Ans. (b)
increases and then decreases.
l
51. A simple pendulum has a time period T1 when on the Sol. T  2 T l
g
Earth’s surface and T2 when taken to a height 2R
Initially centre of mass of sphere is at the centre of
above the Earth’s surface, where R is the radius of the
the sphere. As mercury is allowed to flow out of the
T hole at the bottom, the centre of mass of the hollow
Earth. The value of 1 is:
T2 sphere goes downward. Hence the effective length of
(a) 1/9 (b) 1/3 the pendulum increases. Therefore, the Time Period
(c) 3 (d) 9 of the pendulum also increases.
Ans. (b)
Miscellaneous Examples of SHM
l
Sol. T  2 54. A particle of mass m moving along the x-axis has a
g 2
potential energy U(x) = a + bx where a and b are
g g
g at height 2 R  2
 positive constants. It will execute simple harmonic
 2R  9
motion with a frequency determined by the value of
l  
 R  (a) b alone (b) b and a alone
1 (c) b and m alone (d) b, a and m alone
As T 
g Ans. (c)
g Sol. U  a  bx 2
T1 T 1 dU
 9  1  F 
T2 g T2 3 dx
52. A simple pendulum performs simple harmonic F   [0  2bx]
motion about x = 0 with an amplitude a and time F = – 2bx
a k = 2b
period T. The speed of the pendulum at x  is
2
k 2b
 
a n m m
, find the value of n
T 55. A metre stick swinging in vertical plane about a fixed
a 3 a horizontal axis passing through its one end undergoes
(a) (b) small oscillation of frequency f0. If the bottom half of
2T T
the stick were cut off, then its new frequency of small
32a a 3
(c) (d) oscillation would become.
T T
Ans. (d)
Sol. As we know that the speed of particle executing SHM
is given by
SIMPLE HARMONIC MOTION 12

(a) f0 (b) 2 f0
(c) 2f0 (d) 2 2 f 0
Ans. (b)
g 1
Sol. f   
 
f  Applying work energy theorem
So,   f  2 f0
f0 Wg  KE
2 1
 mg (2l )  I 2  0
56. Which of the following expressions of force, 2
corresponds to simple harmonic motion along a
4 mgl
straight line, where x is the displacement and a, b, c  
I
are positive constant?
Where I is moment of inertia of body about point of
(a) a + bx – cx2 (b) a – bx + cx2
2 suspension.
(c) bx (d) – bx
For small angular displacement of body about stable
Ans. (d)
equation position we can write
Sol. In SHM the restoring force  displacement from
mean position (x = 0).
If x  0 at mean position than force is a linear
function of x and direction of force always toward
mean position.
2
In Option (a), (b) and (c) function depends upon x
 it can not be SHM
In option (d) it is (–bx)
 F = –bx (it is SHM)
57. A physical pendulum is positioned so that its centre    mgl sin 
of gravity is above the suspension point. When the  I   mgl 
pendulum is released it passes the point of stable
equilibrium with an angular velocity . The period of  mgl 
    
small oscillations of the pendulum is  I 
Comparing with standard SHM equation.
(a) 4 (b) 2
    2

(c) (d)  We can write angular frequency of angular SHM
 2 motion
Ans. (a)
mgl 
Sol. Let’s assume the centre of gravity is at height l above 0  
I 2
point of suspension (0) (as shown)
 2 4
So T   
0 /2 

58. The displacement of a particle varies with time

according to the relation: y = asin t + bcos t.
Choose the correct statement.
SIMPLE HARMONIC MOTION 13

(a) The motion is oscillatory but not SHM. 

Hence A  4 2 , phase diff  rad
(b) The motion is SHM with amplitude (a + b). 4
2 2
(c) The motion is SHM with amplitude (a + b ) 61. The resultant of two rectangular simple harmonic
(d) The motion is SHM with amplitude 2
a b 2 motions of same frequency and unequal amplitudes

Ans. (d) but differing in phase by is:
2
Sol. y  a sin t  b cos t
(a) Simple harmonic (b) Circular
 a b 
 a 2  b 2  sin  t  cos  t   (c) Elliptical (d) Parabolic
2 2 2 2
 a b a b 
Ans. (c)
 a 2  b2 sin(t   )
Sol. If first equation is y1  a1 sin  t
Where, tan   b y1
a   sin  t ...(1)
59. The displacement equation of a particle is a1
x = 3 sin 2 t + 4 cos 2 t Then second equation will be
The amplitude and maximum velocity will be
 
respectively y2  a 2 sin  t    a 2 cos t
(a) 5, 10 (b) 3, 2  2
(c) 3, 4 (d) 4, 2 y2
  cos  t ...(2)
Ans. (a) a2
Sol. x = 3 sin 2t + 4 cos 2t by squaring and adding equation (1) and (2) we get,
 
 3 sin (2t )  4 sin  2t    Anet (sin 2t   ) 2
 y1   y 2 
2

 2 2 2
      sin  t  cos  t  1
a
 1  2 a
 
Anet  A12  A22  2 A1 A2 cos   this is an equation of ellipse.
2
62. Two mutually perpendicular simple harmonic
 32  42  2(3) (4) 0  5 vibrations have same amplitude, frequency, and
phase. When they superimpose, the resultant form of
vmax   A  2(5)  10
vibrations will be:
Superposition of Simple Harmonic Motion (a) A circle (b) An ellipse
60. Four simple harmonic motions. (c) A straight line (d) A parabola
x1 = 8 sin t; x2 = 6 sin (t + /2); x3 = 4 sin (t + ) Ans. (c)
and x4 = 2 sin (t + 3/2) are superimposed on each Sol. If first equation is y1  a1 sin  t ...(1)
other. The resulting amplitude and its phase
Then second equation will be
difference with x1 are respectively
–1
y 2  a 2 sin   t  0   a 2 sin  t ...(2)
(a) 20, tan (1/2) (b) 4 2 , /2
–1
dividing equation (1) and (2) we get,
(c) 20, tan (2) (d) 4 2 , /4
y1 a1 sin  t a
Ans. (d)   y1  1 y 2
y 2 a 2 sin  t a2
Sol. x1  8 sin t
this is an equation of a straight line.
 
x2  6 sin t    6 cos t 63. The composition of two simple harmonic motions of
 2
equal periods at right angle to each other with a phase
x3  4 sin  t      4 sin  t difference of  results in the displacement of the
 3  particles along:
x4  2 sin  t     2 cos t
 2  (a) Straight line (b) Circle
x1  x2  x3  x4  4 sin t  4 cos t (c) Ellipse (d) Parabola

 4 2 sin ( t  45º ) Ans. (a)

SIMPLE HARMONIC MOTION 14

Sol. If first equation is y1  a1 sin  t ...(1)

Then second equation will be
y 2  a 2 sin  t      a 2 sin  t ...(2)
dividing equation (1) and (2) we get,
y1 a sin  t a In a damped oscillation, amplitude will decrease over
 1  y1   1 y2
y 2 a 2 sin  t a2 time. So, the graph of V vs X will be spiral with
this is an equation of a straight line. decreasing major and minor axes.
68. The drag force on the vane is directly proportional to:
Damped and Forced Oscillations
(a) velocity of vane (b) displacement of vane
64. Pendulum after some time becomes slow in motion (c) spring constant (d) mass of the block
and finally stops due to: Ans. (a)
(a) air friction (b) earth’s gravity Sol. The drag force is proportional to the velocity.
(c) mass of pendulum (d) none of the above 69. The expression for the motion of block in damped
Ans. (a) oscillation can be represented as:
Sol. Oscillations damp down after some time due to d2 x dx dx d2x
frictional forces acting upon it. This is known as (a) m b  kx  0 (b) m  b 2  kx  0
dt 2 dt dt dt
damping.
65. In the above question, the net force acting on the d2 x dx d2 x dx
(c) m b  kx  0 (d) m 2  b  kx  0
block of mass m is: dt 2 dt dt dt
(a) kx – bv (b) –kx – bv Ans. (a)
(c) –kx + bv (d) None of these Sol. Considering equilibrium along y direction.
(here, x is the displacement of the block and v is the ma    kx  bv 
velocity of the block, k is spring constant and b is  ma  kx  bv  0
damping constant.)
d2 x dx
Ans. (b) m b  kx  0
2
Sol. Net force, acting on the block dt dt
 ma    kx  bv  70. In case of a forced vibration, the resonance wave
becomes very sharp when the
66. The graph between velocity and position for a
(a) applied periodic force is small
damped oscillation will be:
(b) quality factor is small
(a) Straight line (b) Circle
(c) damping force is small
(c) Ellipse (d) Spiral
(d) restoring force is small
Ans. (d)
Ans. (c)
Sol. In a damped oscillation, amplitude will decrease over
Sol. In resonant vibrations of a body, frequency of
time. Hence the graph will be spiral.
external forces applied on the body is equal to its
67. In damped oscillation graph between velocity and
natural frequency. On increasing and decreasing the
position will be:
frequency of external force from the natural
frequency by a factor, the amplitude of vibrations
reduces greatly. In this case, a sharp resonance will
(a) (b)
take place. But if it is reduced by a small factor, then
a flat resonance will take place. The sharp and flat
resonance will depend on damping present in the
body exerting resonant vibrations. Lesser the
damping, greater the sharpness.
(c) (d)

Ans. (c)

Sol.
SIMPLE HARMONIC MOTION 15

71. When a damped harmonic oscillator completes 100

1
oscillations, its amplitude is reduced to of its initial
3
value. What will be its amplitude when it completes
200 oscillations? [A0: initial amplitude]
1 2
(a) A0 (b) A0
5 3
1 1
(c) A0 (d) A0
6 9
Ans. (d)
Sol. Amplitude of oscillation at time t is given by
A  A 0 e t where A0 is initial amplitude of
oscillation and y is b/2m.
Ao
 A 0 e 100T A  A 0 e200T
3
A A 0 e200T 1
 100T
 e100T 
1 A0 e 3
Ao ( )
3
 1  1  1
A  A o      Ao
 3  3  9
72. Match the following columns of damped oscillations
expressed by x(t)  Ae  bt / 2 m cos ( ' t  ) , where
Column-I Column-II
(A) b = 0 means 1. Small damping
1
(B) kA2 e bt / m equals 2. Amplitude
2
b
(C) If  1 means 3. No damping
km
4. Total mechanical
energy
Choose the correct option regarding above columns.
Form the codes given below
Codes
A B C
(a) 3 2 1
(b) 1 2 3
(c) 3 4 1
(d) 3 4 2
Ans. (c)
Sol. b is damping constant hence b  0 implies damping
bt
1 2 1 
TE  kx  kA 2 e m
2 2
b
 1, small damping
km