CHAPTER 14 - OSCILATIONS

COMPETENCY BASED QUESTIONS

Q1. The displacement y of a particle executing periodic motion is given by y = 4 cos² (t/2) sin (1000t). This
expression may be considered because of superposition of the following number of harmonic motions.
(a) Two
(b) Three
(c) Four
(d) Five

Ans. (b) Three

Q2. One of the two clocks on the earth is controlled by a pendulum and other by a spring. If both the clocks
are taken to the moon, then which clock will have the same time – period of the earth?
(a) spring clock
(b) pendulum clock
(c) both
(d) none

Ans. (a) Spring clock

Q3. For a magnet of time period T magnetic moment is M, if the magnetic moment becomes one fourth of the
initial value, then the time-period of oscillation becomes.
(a) Half of initial value
(b) One fourth of initial value
(c) Double of initial value
(d) Four time initial value

Ans. 3 (c) Double of initial value

Q4. In the case of forced oscillations, which of the following statements is not true?
(a) Frequency equals that of external periodic force
(b) amplitude depends upon the damping coefficient
(c) amplitude tends to infinity at resonance
(d) higher the damping coefficient, lower is the amplitude at resonance
Ans. (c) Amplitude tends to infinity at resonance

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Q5. Length of a simple pendulum executing simple harmonic motion is increased by 21%. The percentage
increase in the time – period of the pendulum of increased length is
(a) 10%
(b) 1%
(c) 21%
(d) 42%
Ans. 5 (a) 10%
Q6. Dimensions of spring constant is
(a) ML1T-2
(b) ML2T-2
(c) ML2T-1
(d) ML0T-2

Ans. ML0T-2
Q7. Two identical springs of force constant k ach are connected in series. The equivalent spring constant is
(a) k/4 (b) k/2 (c) 2k (d) 4k

Ans.(b) k/2
CASE STUDY BASED
Q8. When a system (such as a simple pendulum or a block attached to a spring) is displaced from its
equilibrium position and released, it oscillates with its natural frequency ω, and the oscillations are called
free oscillations. All free oscillations eventually die out because of the ever-present damping forces.
However, an external agency can maintain these oscillations. These are called forced or driven oscillations.
We consider the case when the external force is itself periodic, with a frequency w d called the driven
frequency. The most important fact of forced periodic oscillations is that the system oscillates not with its
natural frequency ω, but at the frequency ω d of the external agency, the free oscillations die out due to
damping. The most familiar example of forced oscillation is when a child in a garden swing periodically
presses his feet against the ground (or someone else periodically gives the child a push) to maintain the
oscillations. The maximum possible amplitude for a given driving frequency is governed by the driving
frequency and the damping, and is never infinity. The phenomenon of increase in amplitude when the
driving force is close to the natural frequency of the oscillator is called resonance. In our daily life, we
encounter phenomena, which involve resonance. Your experience with swings is a good example of
resonance. You might have realized that the skill in swinging to greater heights lies in the synchronization of
the rhythm of pushing against the ground with the natural frequency of the swing.

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 1. When a system oscillates with its natural frequency ω, and the oscillations are called
(a) Free oscillations
(b) Forced oscillations
(c) gyrometric oscillation
(d) none of these
2. All free oscillations eventually die out because of
(a) Damping force
(b) Electromagnetic force
(c) None of these
(d) Nuclear force
3. The time period of a second pendulum is
(a) 2s (b) 1s (c) 0.2s (d) 0.1s
4. The natural frequency of a body depends upon
(a) Elastic properties of the material of the bodies
(b) Dimensions of the body
(c) Both a and b
(d) None of these.
5. Energy of a harmonic oscillator depends on
(a) Mass (b) frequency (c) amplitude (d) all of these
Ans.
1 2 3 4 5
a a a c d

OBJECTIVE TYPE QUESTIONS

Fill in the Blanks

Q9. (a) A particle in S.H.M. has ………………… speed and ………………… magnitude of acceleration at its mean
position.
(b) ……………….. is the phase difference between the displacement and the velocity of a particle in S.H.M.
Ans. (a) maximum, minimum (b) π/2
Q10. (a) Time-period of a simple pendulum will be double if we …………………
(c) A particle performing S.H.M. passing through mean position has …………………
Ans. (a) Increase the length 4 times.
(b) Maximum kinetic energy.
Mark the True/False statements out of the following

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 Q11. (a) Proportionality between restoring force and displacement from equilibrium position is a
necessary and sufficient condition for S.H.M.
(b) Motion of a particle performing a uniform circular motion is periodic and but not S.H.M.
Ans.(a) True (b) True
Q12. (a) All oscillatory motions are periodic but not all periodic motions are oscillatory.
(b) Time-period of motion of liquid column in a U-tube is independent of density of liquid.
Ans.(a) True (b) True
13. Match Type Questions:

Column I Column II

(a) Acceleration of S.H.M. is zero (i) extreme positions

(b) Acceleration of S.H.M. is maximum (i.e. a = -ω²r) (ii) mean position

Ans..

Column I Column II

(a) Acceleration of S.H.M. is zero (ii) mean position

(b) Acceleration of S.H.M. is maximum (i.e. a = -ω²r) (i) extreme positions

SHORT ANSWER/ LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

Q14. The displacement of a particle in S.H.M. may be given by x = A sin (ωt + Φ) Show that if the time (t) is
increased by 2π/ω, the value of x remains the same. (3)
Ans. The displacement of a particle in S.H.M. at a time t is given
x = A sin (ωt + Φ) …. (i)

Let x1 be the displacement of the-particle at time t’ = (t + 2π/ω),

To prove x1 = x
From equation (i), we get
x1 = A sin *ω(t + 2π/ω) + Φ)+
= A sin *ωt + 2π + Φ+
= A sin *2π + (ωt + Φ)+
= A sin (ωt + Φ)
[ ∵ sin (2π + θ) = sin θ+
I.e. the displacement of the particle in S.H.M. is same for times t and t + 2π/ω .
Hence proved.
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Q15. A girl is swinging in the sitting position. How will the period of the swing be changed if she stands up? (2)
Ans. This can be explained using the concept of a simple pendulum.
We know that the time period of a simple pendulum is given by
T = 2π √L/g i.e. T ∝ √l
When the girl stands up, the distance between the point of suspension arid the centre of mass of the
swinging body decreases i. e. l decreases, so T will also decrease.

Q16. What is the source of potential energy in a loaded elastic spring? (2)
Ans. As the load is put at the end of the spring, it gets extended. To increase the length, the load does work
against the elastic restoring force. This work done is stored in the spring in the form of its potential energy.

Q17. If the amplitude of vibration of an oscillator is made half, how will its time-period and energy be
affected? (2)
Ans. Since the time period of an oscillator is independent of its amplitude, so it remains unaffected. However,
the total energy is directly proportional to the square of the amplitude, so the energy of the oscillator will
become a quarter of its original value on making amplitude half.

Q18. Will a pendulum go slower or faster at

(a) Moon
(b) planet Jupiter?
The time period of oscillation of a pendulum on Earth is given by Te = 2π√(l/ge) (2)
Ans. (a) On moon gm = 1/6 of the Earth = ge /6.Since gm < ge, so Tm > Te. Thus due to increase in time-period of
oscillation of pendulum, it will go slower on the moon.
(b) The value of acceleration due to gravity gj on Jupiter is more than ge, so the time-period TJ of oscillation
of the pendulum will be less than what it is on the earth. Thus due to a decrease in the time-period of
oscillation of a pendulum, it will go faster on Jupiter.

Q19. The mass M attached to a spring oscillates with a period of 2s. If the mass is increased by 2 kg, the period
increases by 1s. Find the initial mass m assuming that Hooke’s law is obeyed.
(3)
Ans. Let the initial mass and time period be M and T respectively. If the Hook’s law is obeyed, then the
oscillations of the spring will be simple harmonic having time period T given by
T = 2π√M/k
Given T = 2s
∴ 2 = 2π√M/k; k = spring constant ….(1)

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On increasing the mass by 2 kg, T’ = 2 + 1 = 3s.
∴ 3 = 2π√M+2/k
Squaring and dividing equation (2) by (1), we have

Q20. We have a very strong string and of sufficient length making a pendulum with a metal ball (e.g. a shot
put). What will be the effect on the time period if
(a) The length of the pendulum is doubled and
(b) The ball is replaced by an elephant. (3)
Ans. (a) If the length of the pendulum is doubled, then
T = 2π√2l/g
= 2π√l/g√ 2 = 2√T.
The period of oscillation will increase
(b) Since mass does not come in relation to the time period of oscillation of a pendulum therefore instead of
shot put if we make a pendulum of some length with an elephant there will be no effect on the time period
of its oscillation.

Q21. Derive an expression for

(1) angular velocity
(2) time-period
(3) frequency of a particle executing S.H.M. in terms of spring factor and inertia factor. (5)

Ans. According to the law of conservation of energy,

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(b) Let y1 be the displacement from the mean position at which
P.E = K. E

Q22. Calculate the effective spring constant and time-period of a parallel and series combination of two
different types of springs that are loaded.
Ans.(a) When springs are connected in parallel with weight mg, hanging at the lower end. Both the springs are
pulled down through the same displacement say y.

Let F1 and F2 be the restoring forces acting on the spring.

Then F1 = – k1y
and F2 = – k2y

If F = total restoring force, then

F = F1 + F2
= – (k1 + k2)y ….(1)

Let k = spring constant of the combination, then

F = – ky ….(2)

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∴ From (1) and (2), we get
k = k1 + k2

The motion of the weight will be simple harmonic in nature. Its time period is given by
T = 2π√m/k
= 2π√(m/k1+k2)

(b) When the springs are connected in series, the springs suffer different displacement y1 and y2 when the
weight mg is pulled down. However, the restoring force is the same in each spring.
∴ F = – k1y1
and F = -k2y2

If k be the spring constant of the combination, then

F = -ky …..(4)
∴ From (3) and (4), we get
k = k1k2/(k1+k2) …(5)
If ‘a’ be the acceleration produced in the body of mass m, then
a = F/m= − (k/m)y motion of S.H.M. having time period T given by

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Q23. Two simple harmonic motions are represented by the following equations:
y1 = 10 sin π4 (12t + 1); y2 = 5 (sin 3πt + 3–√ cos 3πt).
(a) Find out the ratio of their amplitudes.
(b) What are the time-periods of two motions?
(c) Also find the phase difference between two motions.
Ans. The two given displacements may be written as

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 (a) The amplitudes of the two S.H.M. are A1 = 10 units. and A2 = 10 units
Hence A1 /A2=10/10 = 1
(b) Comparing the given equation with the normal sine function of S.H.M.
i.e. y = A sin(2πt/T + Φ) …(3)
Here we get 2πt/T = 3πt
or
T = 2/3 s
i.e. Time-period for two motions is same i.e. T = 0.67 s.
(c) Phase difference between two motions:
Phase (Φ1) of motion represented by y1 is
Φ1 = 3πt + π/4 …(4)
Phase (Φ2) of motion represented by y2 is
Φ2 = 3πt + π/3 …(5)
∴ Phase difference is given by
dΦ = Φ2 – Φ1 = (3πt + π/3) – (3πt + π/4)
= (4 – 3)π/12
= π/12 = 15°

Q24. A particle vibrates simple harmonically with amplitude of 4 cm.

(a) Locate the position of the point where its speed is half its maximum speed.
(b) At what displacement ¡s P.E. = K.E.? (3)
Ans. Here, r = 4 cm
vmax = maximum speed of the particle
m = mass of the particle
(a) let v = speed of the particle when its displacement is y and
v = 1/2vmax ---- (i)
Let y = required position w.r.t. mean position =?
∴ Maximum P.E = 1/2kr2
Also maximum K.E = 1/2mv2max
Q25. A man is standing on a platform executing S.H.M. in the vertical direction and attached to a weighing
machine. Will there be any change in his weight?
Ans. Depending on the motion of the platform from its mean position, the weight of the man will change when
the platform moves down from the mean position to the lowermost point and return back to the mean
position, ‘the acceleration acts vertically upwards and hence the weight of the man j will increase. But when
the platform moves up from its mean position to [the uppermost point and returns back to the mean
position, the acceleration in S.H.M. acts downwards, so the weight of the man is decreased].
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 CHAPTER 15 WAVES
COMPETENCY BASED QUESTIONS

Q1. When the wire of a sonometer is plucked what is the nature of wave in?
(i) the string (ii) in air?
Ans . The wave produced in the string is transverse and in air are longitudinal.

Q2. Write the formula between path difference and phase difference?
Ans (i) phase difference = 2π (Path difference)/ λ

Q3. State the factor on which the speed of a wave travelling along a stretched ideal string depends.
Ans. The speed of the wave travelling on a string depends
(i) The tension (T) in string and
(ii)Its mass per unit length (m).

Q4. What is the essential condition for the formation of beats?

Ans. The difference in frequency of the two sound waves should not exceed 10 Hz.

Q5. Two sound sources produce 12 beats in 4 second. By how much do their frequencies differ?
Ans. Number of beats produced per second,
B=12/4=3 beats per second
so, V1-V2 =3Hz

Q6. An incident wave is represented by Y (x, t) = 20 sin(2x - 4t). Write the expression for reflected wave (i)
From a rigid boundary (ii) From an open boundary.
Ans (i) The wave reflected from a rigid boundary is Y (x, t) = -20sin (2x+4t)
(ii) The wave reflected from an open boundary is Y (x, t) = 20sin (2x+4t)

Q7. A bat emits ultrasonic sound of frequency of 100 kHz in air. If this sound meets a water surface, what is
the wavelength of (i) reflected sound, (ii) the transmitted sound? Speed of sound in air = 340 m/s and is
water = 1486 m/s?
Ans. Here v = 100 kHz = 105 Hz, Va= 340 m/s, Vw = 1486 m/s
Frequency of both the reflected and transmitted sound remains unchanged
Wavelength of reflected sound, ƛ = Va/ v = 340/ 105 = 3.4 X 10-3 m.
Wavelength of transmitted sound, ƛ = Vw/ v = 340/ 105 = 1.49 X 10-2 m.
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