A LevelPhysicsAQAExam QuestionsFurther Mechanics & Thermal PhysicsSimple Harmonic Motion

Simple Harmonic Motion (AQA A Level Physics)

Exam Questions

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Simple Harmonic Motion

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Simple Harmonic Motion

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11 mark

What is the standard unit for angular frequency?

  • m s-1

  • m s-2

  • rad s-1

  • rad

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21 mark

Which of the following graphs shows how the acceleration a of a body moving with simple harmonic motion varies with its displacement x ?

6-2-mcq-q2-fig-1-easy-aqa-a-level-physics
6-2-mcq-q2-fig-2-easy-aqa-a-level-physics

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    31 mark

    For a simple pendulum oscillating with simple harmonic motion, which of the following statements is true?

    • The time period T is proportional to the square root of mass square root of m

    • The time period T is inversely proportional to the length l

    • The time period T is proportional to the length l

    • The time period T is proportional to the square root of length square root of l

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    41 mark

    A body is oscillating with simple harmonic motion, and its displacement x is given by the equation x = A cos (ωt).  

    What is the displacement x of the body at time t = 0 ?

    • A

    • 2A

    • 0

    • 1

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    51 mark

    A graph is sketched for an oscillating body. 

    6-2-mcq-q5-easy-aqa-a-level-physics

    What is the amplitude of its motion?

    • 5 cm

    • 10 cm

    • 1.6 cm

    • 3.6 cm

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    11 mark

    A body is oscillating with simple harmonic motion as shown in the graph below, where x represents displacement:

    x-sine

    Which graph best shows the acceleration a against the time t ?

    6-2-mcq-q1-ma-fig-1-medium-aqa-a-level-physics
    6-2-mcq-q1-ma-fig-2-medium-aqa-a-level-physics

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      21 mark

      The length l of a simple pendulum is trebled. 

      What factor will the frequency of oscillations increase by ?

      • 3

      • fraction numerator 1 over denominator square root of 2 end fraction

      • begin mathsize 16px style fraction numerator 1 over denominator square root of 3 end fraction end style

      • 2

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      31 mark

      A particle of mass 0.20 kg moves with simple harmonic motion of amplitude 2.0 cm. 

      If the total energy of the particle is 40 × 10–6 J, what is the time period of the motion?

      • straight pi over 4seconds

      • π seconds

      • 2π seconds

      • straight pi over 3seconds

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      41 mark

      When a mass suspended on a spring is displaced, the system oscillates with simple harmonic motion. 

      Which one of the following statements regarding the energy of the system is incorrect?

      • The potential energy of the system has a minimum value when the mass is at its equilibrium position

      • The kinetic energy of the system is proportional to its mass

      • The sum of the kinetic and potential energies is always constant

      • The kinetic energy of the system has a minimum value when the mass is at its equilibrium position 

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      51 mark

      A mass attached to a spring undergoes vertical simple harmonic motion. 

      At which point(s) is the magnitude of the resultant force on the mass a maximum?

      • At both the top and bottom of the oscillation

      • Only at the top of the oscillation

      • Only at the bottom of the oscillation

      • At the centre of the oscillation

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      11 mark

      The graph shows the variation of displacement with time for a body moving with simple harmonic motion.

      6-2-mcq-q1-hard-aqa-a-level-physics

      What is the body’s maximum acceleration?

      • 0.628 m s–2

      • 1.97 m s–2

      • 2.51 m s–2

      • 7.90 m s–2­

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      21 mark

      A simple pendulum can be used to determine the gravitational field strength of the Earth, g. 

      The period of oscillations for the pendulum, T can be measured for different lengths of the pendulum, l. Using graphical methods, and by finding the gradient m, g can be determined. 

      Which row in the table below correctly describes a graphical method to determine g using a simple pendulum?

      6-2-mcq-q2-table-hard-aqa-a-level-physics

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        31 mark

        The graph shows how the displacement x of a body moving with simple harmonic motion varies with time t.

        6-2-mcq-q3-hard-aqa-a-level-physics

        Which graph correctly shows how the kinetic energy E subscript k of the body varies with displacement, x in the same time interval?

        6-2-mcq-q3--ma-fig-1-hard-aqa-a-level-physics
        6-2-mcq-q3--ma-fig-2-hard-aqa-a-level-physics
        6-2-mcq-q3--ma-fig-3-hard-aqa-a-level-physics
        6-2-mcq-q3--ma-fig-4-hard-aqa-a-level-physics

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          41 mark

          Two simple pendulums, X and Y, of length 80 cm and 99 cm respectively, are set in motion alongside each other. 

          How many oscillations are made by pendulum Y between two consecutive instants when X and Y move in phase with each other ?

          • 9

          • 11

          • 12

          • 13

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          51 mark

          The time period of a simple pendulum on Earth is 1.8 s. 

          What would the time period be of the same pendulum if it was set in motion on a planet with a third of the radius but twice the density of Earth?

          • 2 over 3 T

          • begin mathsize 16px style square root of 2 over 3 end root T end style

          • begin mathsize 16px style square root of 3 over 2 end root T end style

          • begin mathsize 16px style 2 T end style

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