17 Oscillations

OCR Physics A Exam-style mark scheme

Question
Answer Marks Guidance
number
1a A motion in which the acceleration is ALLOW a x / a ²x if all
proportional to the displacement (from symbols are defined. Maximum one
equilibrium position) B1 out of two if minus sign is not shown
or any symbol is not defined
Acceleration is directed towards the B1
equilibrium position (at all times)
1bi 1 C1
1 T  0.6 s OR f 
T A1 f  1.67 Hz to 3 s.f.
f  1.7 Hz A1
2 Amplitude  1.8 cm
1 b ii  2 
2
2
amax     1.8  10 C1 ALLOW 2πf as an alternative
 0.6  method
amax  2 m s2 A1 amax 1.97 m s2 to 3 s.f.
This occurs at maximum
displacement/amplitude position/when mass is
B1
at 31.8 cm or 28.2 cm on ruler
1 b iii Two from:
B1
0.15 s

0.45 s

0.75 s

1.05 s
1c Sinusoidal curve with same frequency as B1 By eye
Figure 2

Inverted/180º phase shift from Figure 1 B1

Scale chosen to match amplitude b ii B1 ALLOW ECF

2ai Total energy stored  86 mJ A1
2 a ii maximum KE  86 – 50 C1
 36 mJ A1 ALLOW ECF from i
2bi 1 Working should be clear
KE mv²
2
1 C1
 0.30 v²  36  103
2 A1
v  0.49 m s1 ALLOW ECF from a

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 17 Oscillations
OCR Physics A Exam-style mark scheme

Question
Answer Marks Guidance
number
2 b ii 1 M1 ALLOW alternative reasoning, for
At half max v, KE is hence max KE  9 mJ example:
4
Total energy  9  50  59 mJ A1 1 1
mvmax2  kA² so vmax A
Amplitude in range 1.7 to 1.8 cm from graph 2 2
1
to give A as  3.5  1.75 cm
2
3a True B2 ALLOW one mark for three correct

False ALLOW two marks for four correct

False Take  as true, x as false

False DO NOT CREDIT for blank spaces

3b Measurements: ALLOW ruler used to measure initial
Angle measured with protractor stated or and subsequent displacement/
shown on the diagram amplitude if explained
B1

Stop-watch/ms timer/data logger to measure

time stated or shown on the diagram

Conclusion: B1
Compare periods for different angles
stated/implied

OR B1

Plot period against angle DO NOT ALLOW ‘time is short so

measure time for n periods and
M1
Major difficulty: divide by n to reduce (%) error’ (AW)

Angle of swing decreases during the timing of

the swing

Solution:
Example
1 1
measure time for , , or one swing
4 2
accurately (using electronic timer/data
logger)
OR
use data logger with motion sensor to
record many swings and analyse how the
period changes over time A1
OR
video the motion with onscreen timer and
analyse

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 17 Oscillations
OCR Physics A Exam-style mark scheme

Question
Answer Marks Guidance
number
4a Straight line through origin shows a  x B1 ALLOW directly proportional to – x
Negative gradient shows a is in opposite
direction to x (AW) B1
4bi 0.050 m B1 ALLOW 5 mm
4 b ii 42 f 2A amax C1
12.5 M1
42 f 2   250
0.05 A1
f  2.51 Hz A0
1
T  0.4 s
f
4ci Cosine wave B1 DO NOT ALLOW sine wave for this
mark
Correct period of 0.4 s B1
Correct amplitude of 0.05 m B1
4 c ii Displacement  0 m B1

One from: B1
Time 
0.1 s

0.3 s

0.5 s

0.7 s

0.9 s
5 a x and a are in opposite directions/a is towards
equilibrium point (AW) B1

Graph is linear/a straight line through origin B1 Must have both bold points to score
so a  x (AW) this mark

5b a  (2f ) 2 x C1
M1 ALLOW any subject
a  4 2 f 2 x
A1
50  4 2 f 2  50  10 3 A0
f 2  25
f  5.0 Hz
5c Cosine wave with initial amplitude 25 mm B1 By eye
Decreasing amplitude B1
Correct T 0.2 s (for minimum of two periods) B1

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 17 Oscillations
OCR Physics A Exam-style mark scheme

Question
Answer Marks Guidance
number
6a Acceleration is (directly) proportional to the If formula is used, ALLOW a x for
displacement/distance from the equilibrium B1 first mark and a and x are defined for
position or central point second mark

Acceleration is always directed towards the ALLOW acceleration is in opposite

B1
equilibrium position/central point direction to displacement (AW)
6bi Curve symmetrical about energy axis with
maximum at 18 mJ B1
Zero at 0.04 and 0.04 m B1
6 b ii Horizontal straight line passing 18 mJ B1
6ci 0.04 m B1
6 c ii 1 2 C1 Maximum one out of two if 18 J is
 0.12 (max)  0.018 used to givemax  17.3
2
2  0.018
 max = A1 ALLOW ECF for maximum KE
0.12
max  0.548 m s1 to 3 s.f.
max0.55 m s1
6 c iii max 2fA ALLOW ECF from c i and/or c ii

0.55 C1 Example
f 
2  0.04 A1 max 17.3 then f  68.8 Hz
f  2.2 Hz
f  2.19 or 2.18 to 3 s.f. depending
on previous rounding
6di Statement of driver for oscillations B1 No marks to be awarded for a bald
What is driven useful applications: B1 statement of the example, for
example MRI
Uses examples:
Cooking: microwaves cause water
molecules to resonate ALLOW any other valid examples
Woodwind: reed causes air column to
resonate
Brass: lips cause air column to resonate
MRI: radio waves (in a magnetic field) cause
nuclei/proton to resonate
Radios: radio waves cause electrons to
resonate
Person on swing: intermittent pushes cause
swing to resonate

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 17 Oscillations
OCR Physics A Exam-style mark scheme

Question
Answer Marks Guidance
number
6 d ii Statement of driver for oscillations B1 No marks to be awarded for a bald
What is driven problems: B1 statement of the example, for
example washing machine
Problem examples:
Bridges: wind/walkers cause bridge to
resonate ALLOW any other valid examples
Vehicles: engine vibrations cause
panels/mirrors to resonate
Washing machine: drum (rotating) causes
casing to resonate/shake
Earthquakes: ground vibrating causes
buildings to resonate

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