S.H.M. Questions

1. Describe 3 examples of objects which oscillate with (or nearly) shm.

2. shm can be described by the equation x = A sin ω t   

Say what each of the terms in this equation represents and suggest possible units.

3. What is ω ?

4. On the same time axes sketch graphs to show the relationship between displacement, velocity and acceleration as they vary with time.

5. Write an expression for the maximum displacement, velocity and acceleration

6. A mass of 300g oscillates freely on a stiffness 80N/m with an amplitude of 3cm. calculate the following:

a) its period     b) its natural frequency     c) its maximum velocity     d) its maximum kinetic energy

7. What mass, on a spring of stiffness 120N/m, would have a natural frequency of 5Hz?

8. What is damping?

9. As the oscillations of a pendulum decay with time what happens to its period?

10. What is the difference between a free oscillation and a forced oscillation?

11. What is resonance? Describe an example of where a) resonance is useful and b) resonance is a problem

12. A buoy oscillates with shm with amplitude 30cm as waves of frequency 0.5Hz pass by it.

a) calculate ω for its motion
b) calculate its maximum kinetic energy
c) show the position of the buoy when the resultant force on it is a maximum. Label what forces are acting on it at this point.
c) If it has a mass of 2kg what is the maximum resultant force acting on it?

13. Find out details of one way that electricity can be generated using waves. Is it a viable energy source for the future?