Assignement questions and problems – PHY2606_0_2025

Assignment 1
Due Date: 24th April 2025 at 23:00
Assignment Unique number: 684979

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Instruction
- This assignment consists of five (5) questions.

Chapters 1 - Simple Harmonic Motion (Topic1)

Question 1
The oscillation of an object of on a frictionless surface is characterised by the following
parameters: Amplitude = 5.0 cm,Maximum speed = 27.0 cm/s, Position at 𝑡𝑡 =
0 is 𝑥𝑥(0) = +2.0 cm,initial velocity is to the left (i. e. 𝑥𝑥̇ (0) < 0), mass 𝑚𝑚 = 0.20 kg. (a)
Determine the force constant of the spring? (b) determine the angular frequency 𝜔𝜔 of this
motion? (c) Calculate the period T of this motion? (d) If the position of the object is 𝑥𝑥(𝑡𝑡) =
𝐴𝐴 cos(𝜔𝜔𝜔𝜔 + 𝜑𝜑), determine the phase constant, 𝜑𝜑? Be sure that your answer gives the correct
sign for 𝑥𝑥̇ (0). (e) Write down expressions for 𝑥𝑥(𝑡𝑡) and 𝑥𝑥̇ (𝑡𝑡).

Question 2
A block attached to the spring undergoes SHM at frequency 𝜈𝜈. How many times per cycle do
the followings occur? (a) the speed is maximum. (b) the acceleration is zero (c) the kinetic
energy equals 50 % of the potential energy (d) the potential energy equals the total energy.

Chapter 2 - Damped Simple Harmonic Motion (Topic 2)

Question 3
Consider a pendulum on which an object of mass 15 g swings with natural angular frequency
𝜔𝜔0 = 20 rads −1 . The object is subject to a resistive force given by −0.48𝑥𝑥̇ , where 𝑥𝑥̇ is its
velocity in meters per second. (a) Set up, with explanation, the differential equation of motion
for free oscillations of the system. (b) Find the damped frequency. (c) What is the Q of the
system?

Question 4
In a damped LCR circuit, show that the fraction of the energy lost per cycle of oscillation,
∆𝑈𝑈� , is given to a close approximation by 2𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋� (assume that R is small).
𝑈𝑈 𝜔𝜔𝜔𝜔

END OF ASSIGNMENT 01

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 Assignement questions and problems – PHY2606_0_2025

Assignment 2
Due Date: 19th May 2025 at 10:00
Assignment Unique number: 685017

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Instruction
- This assignment consists of five (5) questions.
Chapter 3 - The Forced Oscillator (Topic 3)
Question 1
A driven harmonic oscillator of mass 𝑚𝑚 = 0.4 kg has the equation of motion
0.40𝑥𝑥̈ + 0.20𝑥𝑥̇ + 0.275𝑥𝑥 = 0.079 cos(0.750𝑡𝑡) N. (a) Verify that the system is in amplitude
resonance and calculate the steady state amplitude A. (b) Verify that if the driving force were
removed, the system would be underdamped. (c) How long would it then take for the oscillation
amplitude to decrease to 5 mm?

Question 2
A curve between I and 𝜔𝜔 in a series LCR circuit connected to an emf 𝐸𝐸0 sin 𝜔𝜔𝜔𝜔 has a peak (𝐼𝐼 =
𝐼𝐼0 ) at (𝜔𝜔 = 𝜔𝜔0 ) (resonance). Suppose 𝜔𝜔1 and 𝜔𝜔2 are two values of 𝜔𝜔 on both sides of 𝜔𝜔0 at
𝐼𝐼
which the value of 𝐼𝐼 is 0� . Show that (a) 𝜔𝜔1 and 𝜔𝜔2 are half-power points and ∆𝜔𝜔 = 𝜔𝜔2 −
√2
𝑅𝑅 𝜔𝜔 𝐿𝐿
𝜔𝜔1 = �𝐿𝐿, (b) the quality factor of the circuit is 𝑄𝑄 = 0 �𝑅𝑅.

Question 3
A harmonic oscillator with mass m, natural angular frequency 𝜔𝜔0 , and damping constant 𝑟𝑟 is
driven by an external force 𝐹𝐹(𝑡𝑡) = 𝐹𝐹0 cos(𝜔𝜔0 𝑡𝑡)N. Write the equation of motion and use it to
show that 𝑥𝑥p = 𝐴𝐴 sin(𝜔𝜔0 𝑡𝑡) is a solution if 𝐴𝐴 = 𝐹𝐹0 ⁄𝑟𝑟𝜔𝜔0 .

Chapter 4 - Coupled Oscillations (Topic 4)

Question 4
Two objects, A and B, each of mass m, are connected by springs as shown in the figure below.
The coupling spring has a spring constant kc, and the other two springs have spring constant k0.
If is clamped, A vibrates at a frequency 𝜈𝜈A of 1.81 sec-1. The frequency 𝜈𝜈1 of the lower normal
mode is 1.14 sec-1.

(a) Write down the equations of motion of A and B. (b) Putting 𝜔𝜔0 = �𝑘𝑘0 ⁄𝑚𝑚, show that
the angular frequencies 𝜔𝜔1 and 𝜔𝜔2 of the normal modes are given by
𝜔𝜔1 = 𝜔𝜔0 , and 𝜔𝜔2 = �𝜔𝜔02 + 2𝑘𝑘𝑐𝑐 /𝑚𝑚
and that the angular frequency of A and B is clamped (𝑥𝑥B = 0 always) is given by
𝜔𝜔𝐴𝐴 = �𝜔𝜔02 + 𝑘𝑘𝑐𝑐 /𝑚𝑚

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 Assignement questions and problems – PHY2606_0_2025

(c) Using the numerical data above, calculate the expected frequency (𝜈𝜈2 ) of the higher normal
mode. (The observed value was 2.27 sec-1). (d) From the same data calculate the ratio 𝑘𝑘𝑐𝑐 /𝑘𝑘0
of the two spring constants.

Question 5
Two equal masses, m, are connected as shown in the figure below with two identical, massless
springs, with spring constant k. Consider only motion in the vertical direction. [Hint: Use
complex solution of the form, 𝑥𝑥a = 𝐴𝐴𝑒𝑒 𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖 and 𝑥𝑥b = 𝐵𝐵𝑒𝑒 𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖 . (a) Find the angular frequencies of
the two normal modes for the system. (b) Find the ratio of amplitudes for the two masses in
each of the two modes.

END OF ASSIGNMENT 2

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 Assignement questions and problems – PHY2606_0_2025

Assignment 3
Due Date: 23rd Junne 2025 at 23:00
Assignment Unique number: 685021

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Instruction
- This assignment consists of six (6) questions.

Chapter 5 and Chapter 10 - Transverse Wave Motion (Topic 5) and - Fourier Methods (Topic 6)
Question 1
The G-string on a guitar has a linear mass density of 3 g/m and is 63 cm long. It is tuned to
have a fundamentla frequency of 196 Hz. (a) What is the tension in the tuned string? (b)
Calculate the wavelenghts of the first three harmonics. (c) Sketch the transverse displacement
of the string as a function of x for each of these harmonics.

Question 2
A travelling wave is described by
𝑦𝑦(𝑥𝑥, 𝑡𝑡) = 0.2𝑒𝑒 −𝑥𝑥−3𝑡𝑡 sin(𝑥𝑥 + 3𝑡𝑡)
for x and y measured in centimeter and t in seconds. (a) Show explicitly that 𝑦𝑦(𝑥𝑥, 𝑡𝑡) satisfies
the one-dimensional wave equation. Deduce the wave speed form this. What is the direction
of propagation?

Question 3
A string of length L and mass M is under a tension F. One end of it is fixed in place at 𝑥𝑥 = 0,
while the other end is free to move up and down at 𝑥𝑥 = 𝐿𝐿. (a) Starting from the standard form
of 𝑦𝑦(𝑥𝑥, 𝑡𝑡) for a harmonic standing wave, derive the wavelength of the normal modes on this
string: 𝜆𝜆n = 4𝐿𝐿�𝑛𝑛. (b) State clearly, what values of n are allowed. (c) Obtain the normal mode
frequencies 𝜈𝜈 in terms of L, M, F and n and write the full wave functions in these terms (for
arbitrary amplitude, A). (d) Sketch the first two allowed harmonics, indicating the positions of
all modes and antinodes. (e) With 𝐿𝐿 = 2 m and 𝑀𝑀 = 8 g, the string supports the standing waves
𝑦𝑦(𝑥𝑥, 𝑡𝑡) = 0.03 sin(3.25𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋) cos(162.5𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋) for x and y in metres and t in seconds. Find (i) the
value of n for this harmonic; (ii) the tension in the string.

Question 4
A string of length L is displaced at its midpoint by a distance d and released at 𝑡𝑡 = 0 . Find the
first two normal modes that are excited and their amplitudes in terms of the initial displacement
d.
Question 5
A string of length 1 m has a fundamental node frequency of 5 Hz. If this string is plucked
transversely and is the touched a point in the centre, what frequencies persist?

Question 6
A uniform string length 5 m and mass 0.1 kg is placed under tension 18 N. (a) What is the
frequency of its fundamental mode? (b) If the string is plucked transversely and is then touched
at a point 1.8 m from one end, what frequencies persist?

END OF ASSIGNMENT 3

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 Assignement questions and problems – PHY2606_0_2025

Assignment 4
Due Date: 21st July 2025 at 23:00
Assignment Unique number: 685128

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Instruction
- This assignment consists of five (5) questions.

Chapter 12 – Waves in Optical System (Topic 7)

Question 1
(a) Monochromatic light illuminates two slits seperated by 1.2 mm, creating pattern on a screen
3.6 mm from the slits. The distance between the third and sixth dark fringes on the screen is
5.3 mm. (a) What is the wavelenght of the light? (b) The witdh of each slit in part (a) is 𝑎𝑎 =
0.15 mm, what is the width of the central difraction maximum on the screen and how many
bright fringes (i.e, interference maxima) are contained within it?

Question 2
Light of wavelenght 533 nm passes through two arrows slits seperated by 1.2 mm, casting an
intereference pattern on a distant screen. The distance on the screen form the centre of any
bright fringe to the dark fringe nearest it is 1.1mm. What is the distance from the slits to the
screen?

Question 3
Monochromatic light illuminates a single slit of widht 0.3 mm, creating a diffraction pattern
on a screen 2 m away from the slit. The first-order minima on the screen are located ±3.7 mm
on either side of the central intensitiy peak. What is the wavelenght of the light?
Question 4
Sodium atoms, thermally excited, are found to emit light of characteristic wavelength, 𝜆𝜆 =
6000Å. The radiation from a sodium vapour source is found not to be perfectly monochromatic
but contains a distribution of wavelengths in the range (600 ± 0.02)Å. If this broadening of
the sodium line is due to predominantly to the Doppler effect (which it is), determine the
approximate temperature of the sodium source. (Speed of light is 3 × 108 m/s).

Question 5
Two loudspeaker are separated by a disctance of 1.36 m. they are connected to the same
apmplifier and emit sound waves of frequency 1.0 kHz. How many maxima in sound intensity
would you hear if you walked in a complete circle around the louspeakers at a large distance
from them? Assume that the sound waves are emitted isotropically.

END OF ASSIGNMENT 4

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 Assignement questions and problems – PHY2606_0_2025

Assignment 5
Due Date: 18th August 2025 at 15:00
Assignment Unique number: 685131

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Instruction
- This assignment consists of five (3) questions.

Question 1
A fisherman in a boat on a lake counts crests of a wave passing the boat at a time interval of
1
2
s between successive crests. Each crest takes 1.5 s to travel the length of the boat (4.5 m).
Determine the frequency, angular frequency, phase velocity, wavelength, and wavenumber of
the water wave.

Question 2
The displacement of a damped simple harmonic oscillator is given by

𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟 𝑟𝑟 2 𝑠𝑠 𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟 𝑟𝑟 2 𝑠𝑠
𝑥𝑥 = 𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴 �− + � 2 − 𝑡𝑡� + 𝐵𝐵 𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒 �− − � 2 − 𝑡𝑡�
2𝑚𝑚 4𝑚𝑚 𝑚𝑚 2𝑚𝑚 4𝑚𝑚 𝑚𝑚
where A, B, r, m and s are constants.
(a) Provide the physical meaning of the two terms in,
𝑟𝑟 2 𝑠𝑠
−
4𝑚𝑚2 𝑚𝑚
(b) In the damped simple harmonic oscillator, state the conditions for,
(i) heavy damping
(ii) critical damping
(c) Why is there no oscillatory behaviour under the conditions mentioned in (b)?
(d) State the condition under which the oscillatory behaviour may be obtained, and then explain
your answer.

Question 3
The solution to the standing wave equation for a stretched string is of the form

𝜓𝜓(𝑧𝑧, 𝑡𝑡) = 𝐴𝐴 sin(𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘) cos(𝜔𝜔𝜔𝜔 + 𝜑𝜑)

and the total energy density of the standing wave is given by

1 𝜕𝜕𝜕𝜕 2 1 𝜕𝜕𝜕𝜕 2
𝑊𝑊(𝑧𝑧, 𝑡𝑡) = 𝜇𝜇 � � + 𝑇𝑇 � �
2 𝜕𝜕𝜕𝜕 2 𝜕𝜕𝜕𝜕
where T is the tension in the ring and 𝜇𝜇 is its linear mass density.
(a) Derive the maximum kinetic energy density of an antinode on the string is given by
(b) Derive the maximum potential energy of a node on the string.

END OF ASSIGNMENT 5

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 Assignement questions and problems – PHY2606_0_2025

Assignment 6
Due Date: 03rd September 2025 at 23:00
Assignment Unique number: 708357

Instruction
- This assignment consists of eleven (11) questions.

Question 1
Figure 1 shows the position -versus-time graph for oscillatory motion. At what point(s) shown
(a) the acceleration is zero, (b) the kinetic energy is maximum, and (c) the potential energy
maximum.

Question 2
Figure 1 shows the position -versus-time graph for oscillatory motion. At what point(s) the
object has (a) negative velocity and negative acceleration, (b) positive velocity and negative
acceleration, (c) negative velocity and positive acceleration, and (d) positive velocity and
positive acceleration.

Figure 2

Question 3
Two blocks A and B each of mass m are connected by a massless spring of natural length L
and spring constant s. The blocks are initially resting on a smooth horizontal floor with the
spring at its natural length as shown in figure 3.

Figure 3
A third identical block C also of mass m, moves on the floor with a speed v along the line
joining A and B and collides elastically with A. Then
(a) The kinetic energy of the A-B system at maximum compression of the spring, is zero.
(b) The kinetic energy of the A-B system at maximum compression of the spring is
𝑚𝑚𝑣𝑣 2� .
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 Assignement questions and problems – PHY2606_0_2025

(c) The maximum compression of the spring is 𝑣𝑣�𝑚𝑚⁄𝑠𝑠.

(d) The maximum compression of the spring is 𝑣𝑣�𝑚𝑚�2𝑠𝑠.

Question 4
The coordinates of a particle moving in a plane are given by
𝑥𝑥(𝑡𝑡) = 𝑎𝑎 cos(𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝) and 𝑦𝑦(𝑡𝑡) = 𝑏𝑏 sin(𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝)
where 𝑎𝑎, 𝑏𝑏(< 𝑎𝑎) and p are positive constant of appropriate dimensions. Then
(a) The path of the particle is an ellipse.
(b) The velocity and acceleration of the particle are normal to each other at �𝑡𝑡 = 𝜋𝜋�2𝑝𝑝�.
(c) The acceleration of the particle is always directed towards a focus.
(d) The distance travelled by the particle in time interval 𝑡𝑡 = 0 to 𝑡𝑡 = 𝜋𝜋�2𝑝𝑝 is a.

Question 5
Oscillations become damped due to
(a) Normal force (b) friction (c) tangential force (d) parallel force

Question 6
In which of the following oscillations, the amplitude varies with time?
(a) Damped oscillator (b) Forced oscillator (c) undamped oscillator (d) none of these

Question 7
Which is the best plot of overdamping in figure 4.

Figure 4

Question 8
The amount of power supplied to a system is equal to the rate of dissipation of energy in
(a) Forced vibration (b) damped vibration (c) Simple harmonic motion
(d) oscillatory motion
Question 9
A closed organ pipe of length L and on open pipe contain gases of densities 𝜌𝜌1 and 𝜌𝜌2 ,
respectively. The compressibility of gases is equal in both the pipes. Both the pipes are
vibrating in their first overtone with the same frequency. The length of the open organ is
𝐿𝐿 4𝐿𝐿 4𝐿𝐿 𝜌𝜌2 4𝐿𝐿 𝜌𝜌1
(a) (b) (c) � (d) �
3 3 3 𝜌𝜌1 3 𝜌𝜌2
Question 10
An open organ pipe resonated with frequency 𝑓𝑓1 and 2nd harmonic. Now one end is closed,
and the frequency is slowly increased. It resonates with frequency 𝑓𝑓2 and nth harmonic. Then,

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 Assignement questions and problems – PHY2606_0_2025

3 3 5 5
(a) 𝑛𝑛 = 3, 𝑓𝑓2 = 𝑓𝑓 (b) 𝑛𝑛 = 5, 𝑓𝑓2 = 𝑓𝑓 (c) 𝑛𝑛 = 3, 𝑓𝑓2 = 𝑓𝑓1 (d) 𝑛𝑛 = 5, 𝑓𝑓2 = 𝑓𝑓1
4 1 4 1 4 4

Question 11
A wind-powered generator converts wind energy into electrical energy. Assume that the
generator converts a fixed fraction of the wind energy intercepted by its blade into electrical
energy. For wind speed 𝑣𝑣, the electrical power output will be proportional to
(𝐴𝐴) 𝑣𝑣, (𝐵𝐵) 𝑣𝑣 2 (𝐶𝐶) 𝑣𝑣 3 (𝐷𝐷) 𝑣𝑣 4 .

END OF ASSIGNMENT 6