AP Physics - Oscillations Practice Test

(Updates to #’s: 1, 8 & 9 on Thursday, April 02, 2009)

Multiple Choice

Identify the choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.

1 A body oscillates with simple harmonic motion along the x-axis. Its displacement varies with time according to the

equation x = 5.0 sin (πt). The acceleration (in m/s2) of the body at t = 0.5 s is approximately

a. 3.5 b. 49 c. 14 d. 43 e. 4.3

2 The amplitude of a system moving with simple harmonic motion is doubled. The total energy will then be

a. 4 times larger b. 3 times larger c. 2 times larger d. the same as it was e. half as much

3 A uniform rod (mass m = 1.0 kg and length L = 2.0 m) pivoted at one end oscillates in a vertical plane as shown

below. The period of oscillation (in s) is approximately

a. 4.0 b. 1.6 c. 3.2 d. 2.3 e. 2.0

4 The figure shows a uniform rod (length L = 1.0 m, mass = 2.0 kg) suspended from a pivot a distance d = 0.25 m

above its center of mass. The angular frequency (in rad/s) for small oscillations is approximately

a. 1.0 b. 2.5 c. 1.5 d. 4.1 e. 3.5

5 Three pendulums with strings of the same length and bobs of the same mass are pulled out to angles θ1, θ2 and θ3

respectively and released. The approximation sin θ = θ holds for all three angles, with θ3 > θ2 > θ1. How do the

angular frequencies of the three pendulums compare?

a. ω3 > ω2 > ω1 b. Need to know amplitudes to answer this question. c. Need to know to answer this

question. d. ω1 > ω2 > ω3 e. ω1 = ω2 = ω3

6 An object of mass m is attached to string of length L. When it is released from point A, the object oscillates

between points A and B. Which statement about the system consisting of the pendulum and the Earth is correct?

a. The gravitational potential energy of the system is greatest at A and B. b. The kinetic energy of mass m is

greatest at point O. c. The greatest rate of change of momentum occurs at A and B. d. All of the above are

correct. e. Only (a) and (b) above are correct.

7 A graph of position versus time for an object oscillating at the free end of a horizontal spring is shown below. The

point at which the object has negative velocity and zero acceleration is

a. A b. B c. C d. D e. E

8 At sea level, at a latitude where , a pendulum that takes 2.00 s for a complete swing back and forth has

a length of 0.993 m. What is the value of g in m/s2 at a location where the length of such a pendulum is 0.970 m

with the same time period?

a. 0.0983 b. 3.05 c. 9.57 d. 10.0 e. 38.3

9 A 2.00 m-long 6.00 kg ladder pivoted at the top hangs down from a platform at the circus. A 42.0 kg trapeze artist

climbs to a point where her center of mass is at the center of the ladder and swings at the systems natural

frequency. The angular frequency (in s−1

) of the system of ladder and woman is

a. 1.01 b. 2.05 c. 4.03 d. 8.10 e. 16.2

10 To double the total energy of a mass oscillating at the end of a spring with amplitude A, we need to

a. increase the angular frequency by . b. increase the amplitude by . c. increase the amplitude by 2.

d. increase the angular frequency by 2. e. increase the amplitude by 4 and decrease the angular frequency by .

AP Physics - Oscillations Practice Test

Answer Section

MULTIPLE CHOICE

1 ANS: B

2 ANS: A

3 ANS: D

4 ANS: D

5 ANS: E

6 ANS: D

7 ANS: C

8 ANS: C

9 ANS: B

10 ANS: B