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CAPE Physics Unit1 SHM Questions and Solutions

The document contains practice questions and solutions related to Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM), covering topics such as mass on a spring, pendulum motion, and energy in SHM. Key concepts include definitions, equations for displacement, calculations of maximum velocity and acceleration, and energy conversions. It also discusses characteristics of SHM and the relationship between mass, spring constant, and period.

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4 views3 pages

CAPE Physics Unit1 SHM Questions and Solutions

The document contains practice questions and solutions related to Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM), covering topics such as mass on a spring, pendulum motion, and energy in SHM. Key concepts include definitions, equations for displacement, calculations of maximum velocity and acceleration, and energy conversions. It also discusses characteristics of SHM and the relationship between mass, spring constant, and period.

Uploaded by

codellpirali
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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CAPE Physics Unit 1 – SHM Practice

Questions with Solutions


Question 1: Basic SHM Properties

A mass on a spring oscillates with a period of 2.0 s and amplitude of 0.10 m.

(a) Define simple harmonic motion.


(b) Write the equation for displacement as a function of time.
(c) Calculate the maximum velocity of the mass.
(d) At what displacement does the speed equal half the maximum?

Solutions:

(a) SHM is motion where the restoring force is proportional to displacement and directed
toward the equilibrium position.

(b) Displacement: x(t) = A cos(ωt)


Where ω = 2π/T = 2π/2 = π rad/s,
So x(t) = 0.10 cos(πt)

(c) Max velocity: v_max = Aω = 0.10 × π ≈ 0.314 m/s

(d) Use v = ω√(A² - x²), set v = 0.5v_max:


0.5Aω = ω√(A² - x²)
0.25A² = A² - x² ⇒ x² = 0.75A² ⇒ x = √0.75 × A = 0.087 m

Question 2: Spring SHM

A 0.50 kg mass is attached to a spring with k = 200 N/m.

(a) Calculate the period.


(b) Find the maximum acceleration if A = 0.05 m.
(c) What is the total mechanical energy?
(d) Describe the energy conversions.
Solutions:

(a) T = 2π√(m/k) = 2π√(0.5/200) = 0.314 s

(b) a_max = Aω² = A(k/m) = 0.05 × 200/0.5 = 20 m/s²

(c) E = 0.5kA² = 0.5 × 200 × (0.05)² = 0.25 J

(d) Energy oscillates between max PE at extremes and max KE at equilibrium.

Question 3: Pendulum SHM

A pendulum of length 0.80 m.

(a) Show motion approximates SHM.


(b) Calculate its period.
(c) If amplitude is 5 cm, find max speed.
(d) Sketch displacement vs time graph.

Solutions:

(a) For small angles, sinθ ≈ θ (in radians), so restoring torque ∝ -θ → SHM.

(b) T = 2π√(L/g) = 2π√(0.8/9.81) ≈ 1.79 s

(c) v_max = Aω = 0.05 × (2π/1.79) ≈ 0.176 m/s

(d) Displacement-time graph is sinusoidal: x(t) = A cos(ωt)

Question 4: Energy in SHM

A block has total energy 0.40 J and amplitude 0.20 m.

(a) Find spring constant.


(b) Find speed at x = 0.10 m.
(c) Explain energy conversion.
Solutions:

(a) E = 0.5kA² ⇒ 0.40 = 0.5k(0.2)² ⇒ k = 20 N/m

(b) KE = E - PE = 0.40 - 0.5×20×(0.10)² = 0.40 - 0.10 = 0.30 J


v = √(2KE/m) = √(2×0.30/1) = 0.775 m/s

(c) At max displacement: all energy is PE. At equilibrium: all is KE.


Energy continually shifts between forms.

Question 5: Conceptual SHM

(a) State 3 characteristics of SHM.


(b) How do mass and k affect the period?
(c) Compare spring-mass and pendulum SHM.
(d) Explain acceleration-displacement graph.

Solutions:

(a) Characteristics:
1. Restoring force ∝ -displacement.
2. Motion is periodic.
3. Acceleration directed toward equilibrium.

(b) T ∝ √(m/k) — Heavier mass → longer period; stiffer spring → shorter period.

(c) Both exhibit SHM; spring-mass obeys F = -kx, pendulum obeys torque ∝ -θ (for small
angles).

(d) a = -ω²x → acceleration is directly proportional to and opposite in direction to


displacement. The graph is a straight line with negative slope.

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