Paper 2 Oscillations and SHM Drills

Q1 SHM quantities

An oscillator has displacement

$$x=0.060\cos (8.0t)$$

where $x$ is in metres and $t$ is in seconds.

1. State the amplitude. [1]
2. State the angular frequency. [1]
3. Calculate the period. [2]
4. Calculate the maximum speed. [2]
5. Calculate the maximum acceleration. [2]

Q2 Testing for SHM

A student records acceleration $a$ and displacement $x$ for an oscillator.

1. State the graph that should be plotted to test whether the motion is SHM. [1]
2. State the expected shape and sign of the graph. [2]
3. Explain how angular frequency is found from the graph. [2]
4. Explain why a restoring force is needed for SHM. [2]

Q3 Damping and resonance

1. Describe what happens to the amplitude of a damped free oscillation. [1]
2. Explain where the lost mechanical energy goes. [2]
3. State what is meant by resonance in forced oscillations. [2]
4. Describe the effect of increased damping on the resonance curve. [2]