BLUEBELLS SCHOOL INTERNATIONAL

CLASS XI SUBJECT: PHYSICS SESSION 2023-24

ASSIGNMENT- 29 TOPIC: Oscillations SUB TOPIC: Miscellaneous

1. Which of the following examples represent (nearly) simple harmonic motion and which represent periodic
but not simple harmonic motion?
(i) the rotation of earth about its axis.
(ii) motion of an oscillating mercury column in a U-tube.
(iii) motion of a ball bearing inside a smooth curved bowl, when released from a point slightly above the
lower most point.
(iv) general vibrations of a polyatomic molecule about its equilibrium position.

2. Which of the following functions of time represent (a) simple harmonic, (b) periodic but not simple
harmonic, and (c) non-periodic motion? Give period for each case of periodic motion (ω is any positive
constant):
(i) sin ωt – cos ωt (ii) sin3 ωt (iii) 3 cos (π/4 – 2ωt) (iv) cos ωt + cos 3ωt + cos 5ωt
2 2
(v) exp (–ω t ) (vi) 1 + ωt + ω t
2 2

3. The motion of a particle executing simple harmonic motion is described by the displacement function,
x(t) = A cos (ωt + φ ).
If the initial (t = 0) position of the particle is 1 cm and its initial velocity is 𝜋 cm/s, what are its amplitude
and initial phase angle ? The angular frequency of the particle is π s–1.
If instead of the cosine function, we choose the sine function to describe the SHM: x = B sin (ωt + α),
what are the amplitude and initial phase of the particle with the above initial conditions.

4. A spring balance has a scale that reads from 0 to 50 kg. The length of the scale is 20 cm. A body
suspended from this balance, when displaced and released, oscillates with a period of 0.6 s. What is the
weight of the body?

5. A spring having with a spring constant 1200 Nm–1 is mounted on a horizontal table as shown in Fig. A
mass of 3 kg is attached to the free end of the spring. The mass is then pulled sideways to a distance of 2.0
cm and released. Determine (i) the frequency of oscillations, (ii) maximum acceleration of the mass, and
(iii) the maximum speed of the mass.

6. A spring having with a spring constant 1200 Nm–1 is mounted on a horizontal table as shown in Fig. A
mass of 3 kg is attached to the free end of the spring. The mass is then pulled sideways to a distance of 2.0
cm and released, let us take the position of mass when the spring is unstretched as x = 0, and the direction
from left to right as the positive direction of X-axis. Give x as a function of time t for the oscillating mass,
if at the moment we start the stopwatch (t = 0), the mass is (i) at the mean position, (ii) at the maximum
stretched position, and (iii) at the maximum compressed position.
In what way do these functions of SHM differ from each other, in frequency, in amplitude or the initial
phase?
7. Figure correspond to two circular motions. The radius of the circle, the period of revolution, the initial
position, and the sense of revolution (i.e. clockwise or anti-clockwise) are indicated on each figure. Obtain
the corresponding simple harmonic motions of the x-projection of the radius vector of the revolving
particle P, in each case.

8. Plot the corresponding reference circle for each of the following simple harmonic motions. Indicate the
initial (t =0) position of the particle, the radius of the circle, and the angular speed of the rotating particle.
For simplicity, the sense of rotation may be fixed to be anticlockwise in every case: (x is in cm and t is in
s).
(i) x = –2 sin (3t + π/3) (ii) x = cos (π/6 – t) (iii) x = 3 sin (2πt + π/4) (iv) x = 2 cos πt

9. Figure (a) shows a spring of force constant k clamped rigidly at one end and a mass m attached to its free
end. A force F applied at the free end stretches the spring. Figure (b) shows the same spring with both
ends free and attached to a mass m at either end. Each end of the spring in Fig.(b) is stretched by the same
force F.
(i) What is the maximum extension of the spring in the two cases ? (ii) If the mass in Fig. (a) and the two
masses in Fig. (b) are released, what is the period of oscillation in each case ?

10. The piston in the cylinder head of a locomotive has a stroke (twice the amplitude) of 1.0 m. If the piston
moves with simple harmonic motion with an angular frequency of 200 rad/min, what is its maximum
speed ?

11. The acceleration due to gravity on the surface of moon is 1.7 ms–2. What is the time period of a simple
pendulum on the surface of moon if its time period on the surface of earth is 3.5 s ? (g on the surface of
earth is 9.8 ms–2)

12. A simple pendulum of length l and having a bob of mass M is suspended in a car. The car is moving on a
circular track of radius R with a uniform speed v. If the pendulum makes small oscillations in a radial
direction about its equilibrium position, what will be its time period ?
13. A cylindrical piece of cork of density of base area A and height h floats in a liquid of density 𝜌𝑙 . The cork
is depressed slightly and then released. Show that the cork oscillates up and down simple harmonically
with a period
ℎ𝜌
𝑇 = 2𝜋√
𝜌𝑙 𝑔
where ρ is the density of cork. (Ignore damping due to viscosity of the liquid).

14. One end of a U-tube containing mercury is connected to a suction pump and the other end to atmosphere.
A small pressure difference is maintained between the two columns. Show that, when the suction pump is
removed, the column of mercury in the U-tube executes simple harmonic motion. Find period of
oscillation.

15. The displacement of a particle along the x-axis is given by 𝑥 = 𝑎𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝜔𝑡. Is the motion of the particle
simple harmonic? What is its frequency?

16. Two simple harmonic motions are represented by the equations:

𝑥1 = 5 sin (2πt + π/4), 𝑥2 = 5√2 (sin2πt + cos2πt). What is the ratio of their amplitudes?

17. Two simple harmonic motions are represented by the equations:

𝜋
𝑦1 = 10 sin 4 (12𝑡 + 1) , 𝑦2 = 5 (sin 3𝜋𝑡 + √3 cos 3𝜋𝑡). Find the ratio of their amplitudes. What are
time periods of the two motions?

18. A horizontal spring block system of mass M executes simple harmonic motion and A is the initial
amplitude of oscillation. When the block is passing through its equilibrium position, an object of mass m
is put on it and the two move together. Find the new amplitude and frequency of vibration.

19. (i) What is meant by simple harmonic motion?

(ii) At what points is the energy entirely kinetic and potential in SHM?
(iii) What is the total distance travelled by a body executing SHM in a time equal to its time period, if its
amplitude is A?
20. (i) Why are army troops not allowed to march in steps while crossing a bridge?
(ii) A passing aeroplane sometimes causes the rattling of the windows of a house. Why?
(iii) Sometimes a wine glass is broken by the powerful voice of a celebrated singer. Why?

ANSWERS
1. (i) Periodic but not SHM, (ii) SHM, (iii) SHM, (iv) Periodic but not SHM 2. (i) SHM, 2𝜋⁄𝜔 ,
(ii) Periodic but not SHM, 2𝜋⁄𝜔 , (iii) SHM, 𝜋⁄𝜔 , (iv) Periodic but not SHM, 2𝜋⁄𝜔 , (v) Non
3𝜋 7𝜋 𝜋 5𝜋
periodic, (vi) Non periodic 3. (i) √2 𝑐𝑚, 𝑜𝑟 , (ii) √2 𝑐𝑚, 4 𝑜𝑟 4. 219.13 N
4 4 4
2
5. (i) 3.2 Hz, (ii) 8 m/s , (iii) 0.40 m/s 6. (i) 2 sin 20𝑡, (ii) 2 cos 20𝑡, (iii) −2 cos 20𝑡
 𝜋𝑡 𝑚
7. (a) −3 sin 𝜋𝑡 cm, (b) −2 cos ( 2 ) m 9. (i) F / k in each case, (ii) (a) 𝑇 = 2𝜋√ 𝑘 ,

𝑚 𝑙 𝑙
(b) 𝑇 = 2𝜋√2𝑘 10. 100 m / min 11. 8.4 s 12. 2𝜋 14. 𝑇 = 2𝜋√2𝑔
√√ 𝑣4
𝑔2 + 2
𝑅

2 𝑀 1 𝑘
15. Periodic but not SHM, 𝜔⁄ 𝜋 16. 1 : 2 17. 1 : 1 , 3 s 18. √𝑀+𝑚 𝐴 , √
2𝜋 𝑀+𝑚
19. (ii) ±𝐴 , (iii) 4A

by Mr. D Roy