JEE Main Previous Year Solved Questions on

Simple Harmonic Motion

Q1. A particle executes simple harmonic motion with an amplitude of 5 cm.
When the particle is at 4 cm from the mean position, the magnitude of its
velocity in SI units is equal to that of its acceleration. Then, its periodic time in
second is

(a) 8π/3

(b) 4π/3

(c) 3π/8

(d) 7π/3

Solution

In SHM,

speed v=ωA2−x2

at x = 4, v = ω√[(5)2 – (4)2] = 3ω

Acceleration a = – ω2x

at x = 4, a = – 4ω2

|v|=|a|

ω =3/4⇒T = 2π/ω = 8π/3

Answer: (a) 8π/3

Q2: A cylindrical plastic bottle of negligible mass is filled with 310 mL of water
and left floating in a pond with still water. If pressed downward slightly and
released, it starts performing simple harmonic motion at angular frequency. If
the radius of the bottle is 2.5 cm then ω is close to (density of water =
103 kg/m3)

(a) 2.50 rad s–1

(b) 3.75 rad s–1

(c) 5.00 rad s–1

(d) 1.25 rad s–1

Solution

Restoring force due to pressing the bottle with amount x,

F = -(ρAx)g

a = -(ρAg/m)x

Therefore, ω2 = ρAg/m = [ρ(πr2)g]/m

ω=103×π×(2.5×10−2)2×10310×10−3

= 7.95 rad/s

None of the options given are correct

Q3: A particle undergoing simple harmonic motion has time-dependent

displacement given by x(t) = Asin(πt/90). The ratio of kinetic to the potential
energy of this particle at t = 210 s will be

(a) 1/ 3

(b) 2

(c) 1

(d) 3

Solution

The maximum kinetic energy of the particle, K.E = (½)mA2ω2cos2ωt

The potential energy of the particle at any time t, U = (½)mA2ω2sin2ωt

The ratio of kinetic energy to potential energy, r = K.E/U =

[(½)mA2ω2cos2ωt]/[(½)mA2ω2sin2ωt]

r = cos2ωt/sin2ωt

r = cot2 ωt

The angular frequency is given as ω = π/90

Time, t = 210 s

Therefore, r = cot2 (π/90) 210

r = cot2 (7 π/3)

r = cot2 (2 π + π/3)

We know,

cot (2nπ + θ ) = cot θ

Therefore, r = cot2 (π/3)

r = (1/√3)2

r = 1/3

Answer: (a) 1/ 3

Q4: A pendulum is executing simple harmonic motion and its maximum kinetic
energy is K1. If the length of the pendulum is doubled and it performs simple
harmonic motion with the same amplitude as in the first case, its maximum
kinetic energy is K2. Then

(a) K2 = K1

(b) K2 = K1/2

(c) K2 = 2K1

(d) K2 = K1/4

Solution

Maximum kinetic energy = (1/2) mω2A2

ω = √g/√L

A = Lθ

K.E = (1/2) m (g/L) (L2θ2)

K1 = (1/2) m g Lθ2
If the length is doubled

K2 = (1/2) m g 2Lθ2

From (1) and (2)

(K1/K2) = (1/2) m g Lθ2/ (1/2) m g 2Lθ2

= 1/2

K2 = 2K1

Answer: (c) K2 = 2K1

Q5: A simple pendulum of length 1 m is oscillating with an angular frequency

10 rad/s. The support of the pendulum starts oscillating up and down with a
small angular frequency of 1 rad/s and an amplitude of 10 –2 m. The relative
change in the angular frequency of the pendulum is best given by

(a) 10–5 rad/s

(b) 10–1 rad/s

(c) 1 rad/s

(d) 10–3 rad/s

Solution

Angular frequency of the pendulum

ω=geffl

(Δω/ω) = (½)(Δgeff/geff)

(Δω/ω) = (½)(2Aω2s/g)

Δω/ω= (Aω2s/g)

= (12 x 10-2/10)= 10-3

Answer: (d) 10–3 rad/s

Q6: A damped harmonic oscillator has a frequency of 5 oscillations per
second. The amplitude drops to half its value for every 10 oscillations. The
time it will take to drop to 1/1000 of the original amplitude is close to

(a) 100 s

(b) 10 s

(c) 20 s

(d) 50 s

Solution

Frequency of damped oscillation, f = 5 Hz

For A=A/2

t1 =2s

Also, A = A0e-(b/2m)t or ½ = e-(b/2m)2

(b/m )= In 2

For A = A/1000, t2 = ?

1/1000 = e-(b/2m)t 2

Or 10-3 = e-(b/2m)t 2

(b/2m)t2 = 3In 10 or t2= 6In10/In2

t2= 20 s

Answer: (c) 20 s

Q7: A resonance tube is old and has a jagged end. It is still used in the
laboratory to determine the velocity of sound in the air. A tuning fork of
frequency 512 Hz produces the first resonance when the tube is filled with
water to a mark 11 cm below a reference mark, near the open end of the tube.
The experiment is repeated with another fork of frequency 256 Hz which
produces the first resonance when water reaches a mark 27 cm below the
reference mark. The velocity of sound in air, obtained in the experiment, is
close to
(a) 335 m s–1

(b) 322 m s–1

(c) 328 m s–1

(d) 341 m s–1

Solution

Due to the jagged end

(λ1/4) = 11 cm, so v/(512 x 4) = 11 cm——-(1)

(λ2/4) = 27 cm, so v/(256 x 4) = 27 cm ——(2)

(2) – (1)

v/(512 x 4) = 0.16

v = 328 ms-1

Answer: (c) 328 m s–1

Q8: Two simple harmonic motions, as shown here, are at right angles. They
are combined to form Lissajous figures.

x(t) = A sin (at + δ)

y(t) = B sin (bt)

Identify the correct match below.

Parameters Curve

a) A = B, a = b; δ = π /2 Line

b) A ≠ B, a = b; δ = 0 Parabola

c) A = B, a = 2b; δ = π /2 Circle

c) A ≠ B, a = b; δ = π /2 Ellipse
Solution

x = Asin(at + ઠ)

y = ABsin(bt)

If a = b

x = A [sin(at).cos ઠ + cos(at).sin ઠ)

Sin (at) = y/B

xA=yAcosδ+1−y2B2sinδ

(xA−yBcosδ)2=(1–y2B2)sin2δ

x2A2+y2B2−2xyAB.cosδ=sin2δ

If ઠ = π /2 ,

x2A2+y2B2=1

(ellipse)

For A = B, a =2b and ઠ =π /2

x2 + y2 = A2 (Circle)

For A ≠ B, a =b and ઠ = 0 (Parabola)

For A≠ B, a =b and ઠ =π /2 (Ellipse)

Q9: In an engine, the piston undergoes vertical simple harmonic motion with
amplitude 7 cm. A washer rests on top of the piston and moves with it. The
motor speed is slowly increased. The frequency of the piston at which the
washer no longer stays in contact with the piston is close to

(a) 0.7 Hz

(b) 1.9 Hz

(c) 1.2 Hz
(d) 0.1 Hz

Solution

The amplitude of S.H.M., A = 7 cm = 0.07 m

As the washer does not stay in contact with the piston, at some particular frequency
i.e. normal force on the washer = 0

Maximum acceleration of washer = Aω2 = g

ω=gA=100.07=10007

Frequency of the piston, v = ω/2π

=12π10007

= 1.9 Hz

Answer: (b) 1.9 Hz

Q10: A toy-car, blowing its horn, is moving with a steady speed of 5 m/s, away
from a wall. An observer, towards whom the toy car is moving, is able to hear 5
beats per second. If the velocity of sound in air is 340 m/s, the frequency of the
horn of the toy car is close to

(a) 680 Hz

(b) 510 Hz

(c) 340 Hz

(d) 170 Hz

Solution

vair = 340 m/s, v = 5m/s

f1 – f2 = 5 beats per second

Apparently frequency heard by the observer on reflection from the wall,

f1 = [v/(v-vs)]f = [340/(340-5)]f = (340/335)f

f2 = [v/(v+vs)]f = [340/(340+5)]f = (340/345)f

Since f1 – f2 = 5
[(340/335) – (340/345)]f = 5 ⇒ f = (5/340)([335 x 345]/10) = 169.96 Hz = 170 Hz

Answer: (d) 170 Hz

Q11: A silver atom in a solid oscillates in simple harmonic motion in some

direction with a frequency of1012 s–1. What is the force constant of the bonds
connecting one atom with the other? (Mole wt. of silver 108 and Avogadro
number 6.02 × 1023 gm mole–1)

(a) 6.4 N m–1

(b) 7.1 N m–1

(c) 2.2 N m–1

(d) 5.5 N m–1

Solution

Frequency of a particle executing SHM,

f=12πkm

k = 4π2 x f2 x m

Here, f = 1012 s-1, m= [108/(6.02 x 1023)] x 10-3 Kg

k = 4 x (3.14)2 x (1012)2 x [108 x 10-3/6.02 x 1023] = 7.1 Nm-1

Answer:(b) 7.1 N m–1

Q12: The ratio of maximum acceleration to maximum velocity in a simple

harmonic motion is 10 s–1. At, t = 0 the displacement is 5 m. What is the
maximum acceleration? The initial phase is π/4

(a) 500√2 m/s2

(b) 500 m/s2

(c) 750√2 m/s2

(d) 750 m/s2

Solution

For simple harmonic motion,

Maximum acceleration/Maximum velocity = 10⇒ ω2a/ωa =10 or ω=10

At t = 0; displacement, x = 5

x = a sin (ωt + Φ)

5 = asin(0 + π/4) or 5 = asin(π/4) or a = 5√2 m

Maximum acceleration = ω2a = 102 x 5√2 = 500√2 ms-2

Answer:(a) 500√2 m/s2

Q13: A child swinging on a swing in sitting position, stands up, then the time
period of the swing will

(a) increase

(b) decrease

(c) remains the same

(d) increases if the child is long and decreases if the child is short

Solution

The time period will decrease.

When the child stands up, the centre of gravity is shifted upwards and so the length
of swing decreases. T= 2π√l/g

Answer: (b) decrease

Q14: The 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) 11%

(b) 21%

(c) 42%

(d) 10%.

Solution
Let the lengths of pendulum be (100l) and (121l)

T′T=121100

= 11/10

T’ = 1.1T

Fractional change = (T’ – T)/T = [(1.1T- T)/T] x 100

Percentage change = 10%.

Answer: (d) 10%.

Q15. In a simple harmonic oscillator, at the mean position

(a) kinetic energy is minimum, potential energy is maximum

(b) both kinetic and potential energies are maximum

(c) kinetic energy is maximum, potential energy is minimum

(d) both kinetic and potential energies are minimum

Answer: (c) kinetic energy is maximum, potential energy is minimum

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