SIMPLE HARMONIC MOTION AND OSCILLATIONS

1. For definite length of wire, if the weight used for applying

tension is immersed in water, then frequency will
(A) become less (B) become more
(C) remain equal (D) become zero
Answer: [A]
For stretched string
n ∝ T ∝ M.g

When weight is dipped in water due to buoyancy force,

tension decreases and hence frequency decreases

2. A body is executing SHM. When the displacement from the

mean position is 4cm and 5 cm. The values of the
corresponding velocity of the body are 10 cm s–1 and 8 cm
s–1. Then the time period of the body is -
(A) 2πs (B) π2 s (C) πs (D) 3π2 s
Answer: [C]
10 = ω a − 16 2
....(1)
8 = ω a − 25 2
.....(2)
2
5
  = a 2 − 16
a 2 − 25
or 25
= a 2 − 16
a 2 − 25
4 16

9a2 = 625 – 256

a2 = 369
9
= 41
from equation (i)
10 = ω 41− 16 = ω × 5 or ω = 2
1
 2π
T
= 2 or T = π sec

3. A body oscillates with SHM according to equation x =

π
6 cos 3πt +  cm, the displacement, velocity and acceleration

 3

at time t = 2 s in magnitude are

(a) π, 9 π, 27 π2 (b) 3, 9 π, 27 π2
(c) 3, 9π 3 , 27π2 (d) 3π, 9π2, 27π2
Answer: [c]
 π
x = 6 cos 3πt + 
 3
dx  π
v= = −18π sin  3πt + 
dt  3

and a = −(3π) x
2

∴ Magnitudes at t = 2 s are
x = 2 cm, v = 9π 3 cm/s
and a = 27π2 cm/s

4. A particle moves such that its acceleration is given by

a = −β(x − 2)

Here : β is a positive constant and x is the position from

origin. Time period of oscillations is -
(A) 2π β (B) 2π
1
β
(C) 2π β+2 (D) 2π
1
β+2

Answer: [B]
a = −β(x − 2)

as a = −ω2 (x − x 0 )

2
 1
∴ ω2 =β ⇒ T =2π
β

5. The displacement of two identical particles executing SHM

are represented by equations
 π
x1 =
4 sin  10t +  and x 2 =
5 cos ωt
 6

For what value of ω energy of both the particles is same?

(A) 16 unit (B) 6 unit (C) 4 unit (D) 8 unit
Answer: [D]
E1 = E2
1 1
∴ m1ω12 A12 = m2 ω22 A 22
2 2

but m1 = m2

∴ ω12 × 16 =ω22 × 25

∴ 100 × 16 =ω2 × 25

ω =8 units

6. A simple pendulum 4 m long swings with an amplitude of

0.2 m. What is its acceleration at the ends of its path?
(g = 10 m / s2 )

(A) zero (B) 10 m / s 2

(C) 0.5 m / s 2
(D) 2.5 m / s2

Answer: [C]
g
ω=
L
g
∴ amax =ω2 A = × A =0.5m / s2
L

3
7. If the same weight is suspended from three springs having
lengths 1: 3: 5, the period of oscillations shall be in the
ratio of -
(A) 1: 3: 5 (B) 1: 3 : 5 (C) 15: 5 : 3 (D) 1: 1 : 1
3 15

Answer: [B]
1
T∝
1
and K∝

K

∴ T∝ 

8. The displacement y of a particle executing periodic motion

is given by y = 4 cos  2t  sin(1000t) this expression may be
2

 

considered to be a result of the superposition of

……independent harmonic motions -
(A) Two (B) Three (C) Four (D) Five
Answer: [B]
t
y = 4 cos2   sin(1000t)
2

= 2{1 + cos t} sin (1000 t)

y = 2 sin (1000 t) + 2 cos t sin 1000 t
= 2 sin (1000 t) + sin (999 t) + sin (1001 t)
⇒ it is the super of three

4
9. If the length of second pendulum is increased by 21%. How
many oscillations it will lose per day
(A) 3927 (B) 3722
(C) 34273 (D) None of these
Answer: [A]
T∝ 

T2 2
=
T1 1

⇒ T2 = 1.1, T1 = 2.2 sec

86400
Initial no. of oscillation = 2
= 43200

86400
final no. of oscillation = 2.2
= 39273

no. of lost oscillations = 43200 − 39273 = 3927

10. The pendulum suspended from the ceiling of a train has a

period T when the train is at rest. When the train is
accelerating with an uniform acceleration, the period of
oscillation will -
(A) increase (B) decrease
(C) remain unaffected (D) become infinite
Answer: [B]
Comparing with y = 2π  ;
g

T' = 2π 1
g + a2
2

clearly, T' < T

5
11. A particle executes SHM along a straight line so that its
period is 12s. The time it takes in traversing a distance
equal to half its amplitude from its equilibrium position is -
(A) 6s (B) 4s (C) 2s (D) 1s
Answer: [D]
E = a sin ωt
a
2
= a sin ωt
or 12 = sin ωt
or sin π6 = sin 2π
12
t
t = 1s

12. A uniform spring of normal length λ has a force constant k.

It is cut into two pieces of lengths λ1 and λ2 such that λ1=
nλ2, where n is an integer. Then the value of k1 (force
constant of spring of length λ1) is -
(A) (nkn+ 1) (B) k(nn+ 1) (C) k(nn− 1) (D) nkn− 1
Answer: [B]
k1λ1 = k2λ2 = k (λ1 λ2)
k1 = k( +  )
1 2

or k1 = k ( n 2 +  2 )
n 2

or k1 = k (n + 1)
n

6
13. A uniform spring has an unstreched length λ and a force
constant k. The spring is cut into two parts of unstreched
length λ1 and λ2 such that λ1 = ηλ2 where η is an integer.
The corresponding force constants k1 and k2 are :
(A) kη and k(η + 1) (B) k(ηη+ 1) and k(η – 1)
(C) k (η – 1)
η
and k(η+1) (D) k(ηη+ 1) and k(η+1)

Answer: [D]
λ1 = η λ2 ⇒ λ1 : λ2 = η : 1
⇒ λ1 = ηη+1 λ & λ2 = (η1+1) λ
so k1 = η +1
η
k, k2 = (η + 1) k

14. The length of simple pendulum executing SHM is

increased by 21%. The percentage increase in the time
period of the pendulum is -
(A) 10% (B) 11% (C) 21% (D) 42%
Answer: [A]
T'
T
=
121
100
, T ' = 10
11
T
 T' 
 −1 × 100% =  11 
 −1 × 100% = 10%
T   10 

15. Particle moves on the x-axis according to the equation x =

A + B sin ωt. The motion is simple harmonic with
amplitude.
(A) A (B) B (C) A + B (D) A 2 + B2
7
Answer: [B]
Compare with
E = Ε0 + a sin ωt
When t = 0, x = A + sin 0 = A
So, A represents initial position.

16. The amplitude and time period in SHM are 0.8 cm and 0.2
sec respectively. If the initial phase is π/2 radian, then the
equation representing SHM is -
(A) y = 0.8 cos 10πt (B) y = 0.8 sin πt
(C) y = 3 × 0.8 sin πt (D) y = 0.8 sin 10 πt
Answer: [A]
y = a sin(ωt + φ)
= 0.8 sin  20π.2t + π2  = 0.8 cos 10πt
 

17. A horizontal platform with an object placed on it is

executing SHM in the vertical direction. The amplitude of
oscillation is 2.5 cm. What must be the least period of these
oscillations so that the object is not detached -
(A) π sec (B) π/5 sec (C) π/10 sec (D) π/15 sec
Answer: [C]
mω2a = mg, ω = g
a
, T = 2π a
g

T = 2π 2.5
=
1000 10
π
sec.

8
18. The maximum velocity of a particle executing simple
harmonic motion with an amplitude 7mm, is 4.4m/s.
Calculate the period of oscillation -
(A) 0.1 sec (B) 100 sec
(C) 0.01 sec (D) 10 sec
Answer: [C]
vmax = aω, 4.4 = 7 × 10–3 ω, ω = 4400/7
T = 2π(7/4400) = 0.01 sec.

19. The equation of SHM of a particle is a + 4π2x = 0 where ‘a’

is instantaneous linear acceleration at displacement x. The
frequency of motion is -
(A) 1 Hz (B) 4π Hz (C) 14 Hz (D) 4Hz
Answer: [A]
Comparing a + ω2x = 0, ω2 = 4π2, ω = 2π
2πn = 2π, n = 1 Hz

20. A particle executes SHM of amplitude 5cm and period 3s.

The velocity of the particle at a distance 4 cm from the
mean position -
(A) 8 cm/s (B) 12 cm/s (C) 4 cm/s (D) 6 cm/s
Answer: [D]
v = ω a − x = 2Tπ a − x = 2 ×3 3 25 − 16 = 6 cm/s
2 2 2 2

9
21. A body of mass 5 gm is executing S.H.M about a point
with amplitude 10 cm. Its maximum velocity is 100 cm/s.
Its velocity will be 50 cm/s at a distance -
(A) 5 (B) 5 2 (C) 5 3 (D) 10 2
Answer: [C]
Θ v = ω A –x 2 2

Vmax = Aω ⇒ 100 = 10 × ω
ω = 10 rad/s
So v = 50 = 10 10 – x 2 2

⇒x= 5 3 cm

22. The displacement equation of a particle is

x = 3 sin 2t + 4cos 2t
The amplitude & maximum velocity will be respectively -
(A) 5, 10 (B) 3, 2 (C) 4, 2 (D) 3, 4
Answer: [A]
x = 3 sin 2t + 4cos 2t
= 5 sin (2t + π/4)
So A = 5 & vmax. = Aω = 5 × 2 = 10

23. When the displacement is half of the amplitude. The ratio of

potential energy to the total energy is
(A) 12 (B) 14 (C) 1 (D) 18
Answer: [B]
P.Ε. = 12 mω2x2 & T.Ε. = 12 mω2A2

10
 So ratio at x = A/2 ⇒ TP..EE.. = 1
4

24. A particle executes S.H.M (amplitude = A) between x = –

A & x = + A. The time taken for it to go from 0 to A/2 is T1
& to go from A/2 to A is T2. Then -
(A) T1 < T2 (B) T1 > T2 (C) T1 = T2 (D) T1 = 2T2
Answer: [A]
If x = A sin ωt
For x = A/2 ⇒ T1 = 6πω
T2 = π
3ω

i.e. T1 < T2

25. A particle of mass 10 g executes SHM of period of 3s and

amplitude 5 cm. The acceleration when displacement is 2
cm is -
(A) 8π 2
9
cm s–2 (B) 9π 2
8
cm s–2
(C) π2 cm s–2 (D) 2 π2 cm s–2
Answer: [A]
|Acceleration| = ω2 × displacement
= 4π 2
× displacement = 4π 2
× 2 = 8π9 cm s–2
2

T2 9

11
26. A particle is oscillating according to the equation x = 7 cos
0.5 πt, where t is in second. The particle moves from the
position of equilibrium to maximum displacement in time -
(A) 0.5 s (B) 4.0 s (C) 2.0 s (D) 1.0 s
Answer: [D]
ω = 0.5 π = π2 , 2Tπ = π2 or T = 4s.
t= T 4
=
4 4
s = 1s.

27. The periodic time of a simple pendulum of length  &

amplitude 2 cm is 5 sec. If the amplitude is made 4 cm, its
periodic time in sec is -
(A) 2.5 (B) 5 (C) 10 (D) 5 2
Answer: [B]
The time period is independent with its amplitude so again
T = 5 sec.

28. A small mass executes S.H.M. account a point O with

amplitude A & time period T. Its displacement from O at
time T/8 after passing through O is -
(A) A8 (B) A (C) A2 (D) A
2 2 2

Answer: [D]
Equation of S.H.M.
x = A sin ωt ; so when t = T/8
x = A sin ω × T/8 = A sin  2Tπ × T8 
 

12
 = A sin π
4
= A
2

29. The time period of a mass suspended from a spring is 5s.

The spring is cut into four equal parts and same mass is
now suspended from one of its parts. The period is now.
(A) 5s (B) 2.5 s (C) 1.25 s (D) 5/16 s
Answer: [B]
T = 2π mk ⇒ T′ = 2π 4mk = T2 = 52 s = 2.5s

30. The amplitude and the time period in SHM are 0.8 cm and
0.2 s respectively. If the initial phase is π/2 radian, then the
equation representing SHM is -
(A) y = 0.8 cos 10 πt (B) y = 0.8 sin πt
(C) y = 3 × 0.8 sin πt (D) y = 0.8 sin 10 πt
Answer: [A]
y = a sin (ωt + φ0)
= 0.8 sin  02.π2 t + π2  = 0.8 cos 10πt
 

31. The motion of a particle is expressed by the equation acc. a

= – bx where x is displacement from equilibrium position
and b is constant. What is the periodic time ?
(A) 2πb (B) 2π (C) πb (D) 2 πb
b

Answer: [B]
T = 2π accx. = 2π 1
= 2π
b b

13
32. If velocity of sound in O2 gas at absolute temperature T is
V, if temperature becomes double the molecular oxygen
gas dissociates into atomic form, then the new velocity of
sound in atomic oxygen is -
(A) V (B) 2 V (C) 5 V (D) 10V
3 21

Answer: [D]
v= γRT
Mω
= 7 RT
×
5 32
,v′ = 5 R (2T )
3
×
16

v′
v
= 5 × 2T × 5 × 32
3(16) 7 × T
= 5× 2
, v′ = 10
v
21 21

33. A string of length 0.4 m and mass 10–2 kg is clamped at its

ends. The tension in the string is 1.6 N. When a pulse
travels along the string, the shape of the string is found to
be the same at times t and t + ∆t. The value of ∆t is -
(A) 0.05 sec (B) 0.1 sec (C) 0.2 sec (D) 0.4 sec
Answer: [B]
v= T
µ
= 1.6 × 0.4
10 – 2
= 8 m/s
S = vt = 0.8 = 8 ∆t ⇒ ∆t = 0.1 sec

34. While noting the time period of a simple pendulum

amplitude of vibration should be kept-
(A) reasonably large for easy measurement
(B) as small as possible
(C) without any restriction

14
 (D) very large because formula T = 2π 
g
is derived
accordingly
Answer: [B]
T = 2π 
g
is derived by assuming sin θ to be negligibly
small so θ should be very small.

35. A particle at the end of a spring executes simple harmonic

motion with a period t1, while the corresponding period for
another spring is t2. If the period of oscillation with the two
springs in series is T, then -
(A) T = t1 + t2 (B) T2 = t12 + t22
(C) T–1 = t1–1 + t2–1 (D) T–2 = t1–2 + t2–2
Answer: [B]
t1 = 2π m
k1

….(i)
t2 = 2π m
k2

….(ii)
when springs are in series then
T = 2π m
k 1k 2
= 2 m( k 1 + k 2 )
k 1k 2
k1 + k 2

squaring and adding (i) and (ii) we get

t12 + t22 = 4π2 km + 4π2 km
1 2

= 4π2m  k1 + k 2


 or t12 + t22 = T2
 k 1k 2 

15
36. The ratio of diameters of two wires of same material is n :
1. The length of each wire is 4 m. On applying the same
load, the increase in length of thin wire will be (n > 1) -
(A) n2 times (B) n times
(C) 2n times (D) (2n + 1) times
Answer: [A]
F
Y= a
∆
= F
a∆
= F × 4
πD 2 × ∆
or ∆λ ∝ 1
D2


or ∆ 2
∆ 1
= D12
D 22
= n2
1

37. What is the shortest possible period of an Earth satellite in

circular orbit?
(A) 2π R
g
(B) zero (C) 1 day (D) 1 year
Answer: [A]
T = 2π (R + h ) 3
GM

T will be minimum if h = 0
∴ Tmin = 2π R3
gR 2
or Tmin = 2π R
g

38. A 5 kg mass bounces in simple harmonic motion at the end

of a spring. At which point the acceleration of the mass is
the greatest -
(A) When the spring is fully compressed and when the
spring is fully extended
(B) When the spring is at its rest length
16
 (C) When the spring is halfway between its rest length and
is fully extended or compressed length
(D) The acceleration is constant.
Answer: [A]
When the spring is fully compressed or fully extended is
when the Hook's law forces are the greatest, and this
indicates that the acceleration is the greatest. F = ma.

39. A particle of mass 5 × 10–5 kg is placed at the lowest point

of a smooth parabola having the equation x2 = 40y (x, y in
cm). If it is displaced slightly and it moves such that it is
constrained to move along the parabola, the angular
frequency of oscillation will be, approximately -
(A) 1 s–1 (B) 7 s–1
(C) 5 s–1 (D) None of these
Answer: [D]
Restoring force = FR = – mg sinθ where
tanθ = dx
dy
= 20x
∴ FR = −mgx
20

∴ FR = – mω x 2

∴ ω = 20g

17
40. The time period of the given system is –
K
M1 M2

(A) T = 2π T12 + T22 (B) T = 2π

ω12 + ω 22

(C) T = 2π ω12 + ω22 (D) T = 2π

T12 + T22

Answer: [B]
T = 2π Kµ
µ = reduced mass = M1M 2
M2 + M2

T= 2π
M1M 2
(M1 + M 2 )K
= 2π
K
1
K
+
M1 M 2

T= 2π
ω12 + ω22

41. Two pendulum of length 1.69 m & 1.44 m start swinging

together. After how many vibration will they swing
together -
(A) 8 (B) 10 (C) 12 (D) 14
Answer: [C]
T1 = 2π 1.69
g
= 1.3 × 2π 1
g

T2 = 2π 1.44
g
= 1.2 × 2π 
g

We know
nT1 = (n + 1) T2
⇒n = 12

18
42. A particle is vibrating in simple harmonic motion with an
amplitude of 4 cm. At what displacement from the
equilibrium position is its energy half potential and half
kinetic ?
(A) 10 cm (B) 2 cm (C) 2 cm (D) 2 2 cm
Answer: [D]
The total energy E of a particle vibrating SHM is given by
E = 12 mω2a2 .....(1)
The kinetic energy K is given by
K = 12 mω2 (a2 – y2)
where y = displacements of the particle
but K = E2 = 12  12 mω a 2 2
 

∴ 1 1

2 2
 1
mω2 a 2  = mω2 (a 2 − y 2 )
 2

or a2
2
= a 2 − y2 or y2 = a2
2
∴y= a
2

Hence the kinetic energy is half of the total energy when

displacement of the particle is a/ 2 . Given that a = 4cm.
∴ y = 4/ 2 = 2 2 .

43. Two identical simple pendulums A and B are fixed at same

point. They are displaced by very small angles α and β (β >
α) and released from rest. Find the time after which B
reaches its initial position for the first time. Collisions are
elastic and length of strings is λ.

19
 α β

A B

(A) π

g
(B) 2π

g
(C) πβ 
α g
(D) 2πβ 
α g

Answer: [B]
Time period of both A and B T = 2π 
g

After first collision, B acquires amplitude of A and after

second collision it acquires its own amplitude in this
process time taken is
= T4 + T4 + T4 + T
4
=T = 2π

g

44. A clock with an Iron Pendulum keeps correct time at 20ºC.

How much will it lose or gain if temperature changes to
40ºC? [Given cubical expansion of iron = 36 × 10–6 ºC–1]
(A) 10.368 sec gain (B) 10.368 sec loss
(C) 5.184 sec gain (D) 5.184 sec loss
Answer: [B]
T = 2π L
g

and T′ = 2π L'
g

or T'
T
= L'
L

L′ = L(1 × α ∆t)

20
 α = 3γ = 36 ×310
−6
∴
= L(1 + 12 × 10–6 × 20) = 12 × 10–6 ºC–1
L′ = L(1.00024)
T'
T
= 1.00024 L
L

or T'
2
= 1.00012 (Θ T = 2 sec)
T′ = 2.00024
Loss in time per day
= (2.00024 − 2)2× 24 × 60 × 60 sec.
= 10.368 sec. Loss/day

45. In an Experiment to find loss of energy w.r.t time in case of

swinging simple pendulum mark graph between
(amplitude)2 and time is –
a2 a2
a2
(A) (B) (C) (D) a
2

t t t t

Answer: [A]
E = 12 Ka2
E= 1
2
mw2a2
So a2 t2 = hence (A) constant.

21