Oscillations MCQs set 3 for NTS NAT-IE (Engineering Track) Physics — 20 solved questions.
Q1. A particle executes SHM with amplitude A. Its maximum velocity is V. What is its velocity at x = A/2?
Answer: V √3/2
Explanation: v = ω √(A² - x²). At x = A/2, v = ω √(A² - A²/4) = ω √(3A²/4) = V √3/2.
Q2. The equation of motion of a particle is d²x/dt² + kx = 0. What is its angular frequency?
Answer: √k
Explanation: d²x/dt² + kx = 0 is SHM equation. Comparing with standard form, ω² = k, so ω = √k.
Q3. A spring-mass system has a time period T. If the spring is cut into two equal parts and used in parallel, what is the new time period?
Answer: T/2
Explanation: k_eff = 2k + 2k = 4k. T ∝ 1/√k, so T_new = T/√4 = T/2.
Q4. The displacement of a particle is given by x = A sin(ωt + π/6). What is its initial velocity?
Answer: Aω √3/2
Explanation: v = Aω cos(ωt + π/6). At t = 0, v = Aω cos(π/6) = Aω √3/2.
Q5. A simple pendulum is in a lift accelerating upwards. What is the effect on its time period?
Answer: Decreases
Explanation: g_eff = g + a. T ∝ 1/√g, so T decreases.
Q6. The potential energy of a particle executing SHM is maximum at x =
Answer: A
Explanation: U = 1/2 kx². U is maximum when x = A (or -A).
Q7. A particle executes SHM with a frequency f. What is the frequency of its kinetic energy?
Answer: 2f
Explanation: KE oscillates at twice the frequency of SHM, so f_KE = 2f.
Q8. The time period of a spring-mass system is T. If the mass is quadrupled, what is the new time period?
Answer: 2T
Explanation: T ∝ √m. When m is quadrupled, T becomes 2 times.
Q9. A simple pendulum has a bob of mass m. If the bob is replaced by a new bob of mass 2m, what is the effect on its time period?
Answer: Remains same
Explanation: T = 2π √(l/g), independent of mass.
Q10. The displacement of a particle is given by x = A cos(ωt). What is its velocity at t = 0?
Answer: -Aω
Explanation: v = -Aω sin(ωt). At t = 0, v = 0, but since it's a cosine function, initial velocity is -Aω sin(0) but at t=0+ it is negative.
Q11. A particle executes SHM with amplitude A and angular frequency ω. What is its maximum acceleration?
Answer: Aω²
Explanation: a = -ω²x. Maximum acceleration occurs at x = A, so a_max = Aω².
Q12. The total energy of a particle executing SHM is E. What is its kinetic energy at x = 0?
Answer: E
Explanation: At x = 0, all energy is kinetic. So, KE = E.
Q13. A simple pendulum has a length l. If it is taken to a height h = l/2 above the earth's surface, what is the effect on its time period?
Answer: Increases
Explanation: g_eff = g (R/(R + h))². At h = l/2, g_eff < g, so T increases.
Q14. The equation of motion of a particle is d²x/dt² + 4x = 0. What is its time period?
Answer: π
Explanation: ω² = 4, so ω = 2. T = 2π/ω = π.
Q15. A particle executes SHM with a time period T. If it starts from its mean position, what is the time taken to reach its extreme position?
Answer: T/4
Explanation: Time taken to reach extreme position from mean position is T/4.
Q16. The displacement of a particle is given by x = A sin(2πt/T). What is its velocity at t = T/4?
Answer: 0
Explanation: v = Aω cos(2πt/T). At t = T/4, v = Aω cos(π/2) = 0.
Q17. A simple pendulum is taken to a planet where g is 1/4th of its value on earth. What is the effect on its time period?
Answer: Doubles
Explanation: T ∝ 1/√g. When g becomes 1/4, T becomes 2 times.
Q18. The potential energy of a particle executing SHM is 1/4 of its total energy at x =
Answer: A/√2
Explanation: U = 1/2 kx² = 1/4 (1/2 kA²). So, x² = A²/2, giving x = A/√2.
Q19. A particle executes SHM with amplitude A. What is the ratio of its kinetic energy to potential energy at x = A/2?
Answer: 3:1
Explanation: KE/PE = (A² - x²)/x² = (A² - A²/4)/(A²/4) = 3:1.
Q20. A simple pendulum's time period is T. If its length is increased by 4 times, its new time period will be
Answer: 2T
Explanation: T is proportional to √l, so if l is 4 times, T will be 2 times, using T = 2π √(l/g)