1. A particle oscillates with simple harmonic motion with period T.
At time t = 0, the particle has its maximum displacement. Which graph shows the variation with
time t of the kinetic energy Ek of the particle?
(Total 1 mark)
IB Questionbank Physics 1
2. The graph shows how the velocity v of an object undergoing simple harmonic motion varies
with time t for one complete period of oscillation.
Which of the following sketch graphs best shows how the total energy E of the object varies
with t?
(Total 1 mark)
IB Questionbank Physics 2
3. A force that varies sinusoidally is applied to a system that is lightly damped. Which of the
following must be true of the force for resonance to occur?
A. It must always be in anti-phase with the oscillations of the system.
B. Its direction must always be in the direction of motion of the oscillations of the system.
C. Its frequency must be equal to the frequency of oscillation of the system.
D. Its amplitude must be equal to the amplitude of oscillation of the system.
(Total 1 mark)
4. The graphs show how the acceleration a of four different particles varies with their
displacement x.
Which of the particles is executing simple harmonic motion?
(Total 1 mark)
IB Questionbank Physics 3
5. An object at the end of a spring oscillates vertically with simple harmonic motion. The graph
shows the variation with time t of the displacement x. The amplitude is x0 and the period of
oscillation is T.
Which of the following is the correct expression for the displacement x?
2
x 0 cos t
A. T
2
x 0 cos t
B. T
2
x 0 sin t
C. T
2
x 0 sin t
D. T
(Total 1 mark)
IB Questionbank Physics 4
6. Which graph correctly shows how the acceleration, a of a particle undergoing SHM varies with
its displacement, x from its equilibrium position?
(Total 1 mark)
7. A particle performs simple harmonic oscillations. Which of the following quantities will be
unaffected by a reduction in the amplitude of oscillations?
A. The total energy
B. The maximum speed
C. The maximum acceleration
D. The period
(Total 1 mark)
IB Questionbank Physics 5
8. The shock absorbers of a car, in good working condition, ensure that the vertical oscillations of
the car are
A. undamped.
B. lightly damped.
C. moderately damped.
D. critically damped.
(Total 1 mark)
9. Which of the following graphs shows the variation with displacement x of the speed v of a
particle performing simple harmonic motion.
(Total 1 mark)
IB Questionbank Physics 6
10. A mass on the end of a horizontal spring is displaced from its equilibrium position by a distance
A and released. Its subsequent oscillations have total energy E and time period T.
An identical mass is attached to an identical spring. The maximum displacement is 2A.
Assuming this spring obeys Hooke’s law, which of the following gives the correct time period
and total energy?
New time period New energy
A. T 4E
B. T 2E
C. 2T 4E
D. 2T 2E
(Total 1 mark)
11. The shock absorbers of a car, in good working condition, ensure that the vertical oscillations of
the car are
A. undamped.
B. lightly damped.
C. moderately damped.
D. critically damped.
(Total 1 mark)
IB Questionbank Physics 7
12. An object is undergoing simple harmonic motion with light damping. The natural frequency of
oscillation of the object is f0. A periodic force of frequency f is applied to the object. Which of
the following graphs best shows how the amplitude a of oscillation of the object varies with f?
(Total 1 mark)
IB Questionbank Physics 8
13. The graph shows how the displacement varies with time for an object undergoing simple
harmonic motion.
Which graph shows how the object’s acceleration a varies with time t?
(Total 1 mark)
IB Questionbank Physics 9
14. This question is about simple harmonic oscillations.
A longitudinal wave travels through a medium from left to right.
Graph 1 shows the variation with time t of the displacement x of a particle P in the medium.
Graph 1
(a) For particle P,
(i) state how graph 1 shows that its oscillations are not damped.
...........................................................................................................................
(1)
(ii) calculate the magnitude of its maximum acceleration.
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...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
(2)
IB Questionbank Physics 10
(iii) calculate its speed at t = 0.12 s.
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
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...........................................................................................................................
(2)
(iv) state its direction of motion at t = 0.12 s.
...........................................................................................................................
(1)
(b) Graph 2 shows the variation with position d of the displacement x of particles in the
medium at a particular instant of time.
Graph 2
Determine for the longitudinal wave, using graph 1 and graph 2,
(i) the frequency.
...........................................................................................................................
(2)
IB Questionbank Physics 11
(ii) the speed.
...........................................................................................................................
(2)
Graph 2 – reproduced to assist with answering (c)(i).
IB Questionbank Physics 12
(c) The diagram shows the equilibrium positions of six particles in the medium.
(i) On the diagram above, draw crosses to indicate the positions of these six particles
at the instant of time when the displacement is given by graph 2.
(3)
(ii) On the diagram above, label with the letter C a particle that is at the centre of a
compression.
(1)
(Total 14 marks)
IB Questionbank Physics 13