PSI AP Physics 1

Simple Harmonic Motion AP Style Free Response

Name_________________

1. Students in a lab would like to use a simple pendulum to determine the

acceleration due to gravity.

a. Put a check next to each of the items that are needed for this investigation.

___ Hanging objects of known masses ___ Scale

___ Hanging objects of unknown masses ___ String

___ Meter stick ___ Protractor

___ Timer

b. What quantities will be measured?

c. Describe your experimental setup and procedure. Include enough detail that
another student could follow and complete the experiment successfully.

d. Indicate the quantities that should be plotted on the vertical and horizontal
axes of a graph to obtain a linear curve that could be used to obtain a value
for the acceleration due to gravity.

Vertical axis ______________ Horizontal axis _______________

e. Describe how the graph could be used to find the acceleration due to gravity.

f. Students find that their answer is slightly less that their expected value.
Explain what could have changed their result.

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 2. The graph shows the velocity as a function of position for an oscillating mass-
spring system. The oscillating mass is measured to be 125 g. Assume that
friction and air resistance can be neglected. The spring is at x = 0 m at t = 0 s
and is moving to the right at its maximum velocity.

a. Calculate the value of the spring constant k.

b. On the graph below, sketch the velocity as a function of time.

c. On the graph below, sketch the kinetic energy as a function of time.

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 d. On the graph below, sketch the potential energy as a function of time.

e. Suppose the spring was initially stretched to its amplitude at t = 0 s. How

would the graph in part (b) change, if at all? Explain your reasoning.

3. A simple pendulum consists of a bob of mass 0.085 kg attached to a light string

of length of 1.5 m. The pendulum is raised to Point Q, which is 0.08 m above its
lowest point, R, and released so that it oscillates with small amplitude θ between
the points P and R as shown above.
a. On the figures below, draw free-body diagrams showing and labeling the
forces acting on the bob in each of the situations described.
Point P Point Q

b. Calculate the speed v of the bob at its lowest position.

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 c. At what point on the trajectory is the tension on the string the largest? In a
clear, coherent paragraph-length response that may also contain
diagrams and/or equations, explain your reasoning.

d. What is a modification that could be made to increase the period of

oscillation? Explain your answer.

4. The simple pendulum consists of a bob hanging from a light string. You wish to
experimentally determine the relationship between period and mass of the
pendulum bob. You record the time t it takes to make ten oscillations, the mass
of the pendulum bob m, and the angle θ at which the pendulum is released. You
repeat the experiment several times. The results of the trials are recorded in the
data table.

Trial 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
θ 5.0° 8.0° 5.0° 8.0° 5.0° 8.0° 5.0° 8.0° 5.0° 5.0°
m 0.10 0.20 0.20 0.30 0.30 0.40 0.40 0.50 0.50 0.60
(kg)
t (s) 14.1 12.9 13 13.6 13.8 17.6 17.5 17.3 14.0 13.5

a. Which trials will you use to analyze the relationship between period and
the mass of the pendulum bob? Explain your reasoning for choosing those
trials.

b. You want to plot the data to determine the relationship. The table above
includes space to calculate any values needed for the graph. Plot the
graph below, labeling axes and scaling appropriately.

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 c. Using the graph, determine the relationship between the period and mass.
Explain your reasoning.

d. You hypothesize that the period of the string is linearly proportional to the
mass of the string. You select five heavier strings of the same length to
test your hypothesis.

i. How does the previous experimental procedure need to be

modified to test your new hypothesis? Explain your reasoning.

ii. Design an experimental procedure to test your hypothesis.

Describe at least one way to minimize experimental uncertainty.

iii. How would the data be analyzed to test your hypothesis? Explain
your reasoning.

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 5. A block of mass 0.30 kg is placed on a frictionless table and is attached to one
end of a horizontal spring of spring constant k, as shown. The other end of the
spring is attached to a fixed wall. The block is set into oscillatory motion by
stretching the spring, Δx = 0.35 m, and releasing the block from rest at time
t = 0 s. A motion sensor is set up to measure the velocity as a function of time.

a. Student A believes that the spring force is always directed towards the
direction of motion of the block at any given point. Student B believes that
the spring force is always in the opposite direction of the motion of the
block at any given point. Student C believes that the spring force can be
either in the direction of motion of the block or opposite the direction of
motion depending on its position. Which student is correct? Explain your
answer.

b. The spring is now hanging from the ceiling with the same mass. How
would the new period compare to the period when the spring was
horizontal? Explain your reasoning.

c. Derive an expression for the spring constant k.

The students perform another experiment, and the sensors create the graph
below of the pendulum’s velocity as a function of time.

d. Indicate how the kinetic energy at point A (KA) compares to the kinetic
energy at point B (KB).

_____ KA < KB _____ KA > KB _____ KA = KB

Explain your answer.

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 e. Rank the total energy of the system at points A, B, and C. Explain your
reasoning.

6. A group of students is tasked to find the spring constant of a spring in class. To

find it, they decide to conduct an experiment based on the principles of
conservation of energy applied to simple harmonic motion.

a. What materials will the student need to set up the experiment? How
should the student set up his experiment using the materials you checked
off?
_____ Photogate _____ Ruler _____ Stopwatch

_____ Frictionless Table _____ Unknown mass

_____ Motion sensor _____ Digital scale

The students change the length that the spring compresses so that they can get
different values of velocity at the position they are measuring it. They use a block
of mass 50 g.

x (m) v (m/s)
0.050 0.456
0.10 0.913
0.15 1.369
0.20 1.826
0.25 2.282

b. Derive an equation to find the spring constant using these measurements

and the conservation of energy.

c. The students want to create a linear graph using the data they collected to
determine the spring constant. What values should be plotted on each
axis?

Vertical axis _______________ Horizontal axis _______________

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 d. Make a graph of the quantities selected in part (c) and use the graph to
determine a value for spring constant k. There are extra spaces in the
table if calculations are required to construct the graph. Label your axis
and scale your graph appropriately.

Answers:

1. a. Hanging object of unknown mass, Meter stick, Timer, String, Protractor

b. The quantities that will be measured are the length of the pendulum (L) which is
measured in meters and the period (T) of the pendulum’s oscillations, which should
be measured in seconds.

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 c. Measure several strings of different lengths, using the meter stick. Record these
values in a data table. For each different string, tie it to the end of the selected object
of unknown mass and suspend the string from a fixed position. Move the object up
to an angle above the horizontal (see the diagram below) and measure the angle
with protractor. Use the angle recorded on the protractor to reset the mass to the
same angle at the beginning of each trial. Release the object, from the measured
angle and use the timer to measure the amount of time it takes the object to return to
its initial position. Repeat this for each of the strings with different measured lengths.
This procedure should be repeated for at least five different strings to reduce the
amount of uncertainty for this experiment.

Example Data Table Setup:

Trial # 1 2 3 4 5
Length of
String (m)
Time,
Period (s)

Here is a diagram of the experimental setup:

d. Vertical Axis: Period, T (seconds)

Horizontal Axis: L, where L is the Length of the string (m)

√
-or-

Vertical Axis: T 2, where T is the period of oscillations (seconds)

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 Horizontal Axis: L, where L is the Length of the string (m)

e. The period of a simple pendulum is described by the equation:

T
¿
2
π

√ L
g

From this equation, the acceleration due to gravity, g can be written as:
T
2 π
¿

√ L
g

( )
2
T
2 π
¿

(√ )
2
L
g

L
g
¿
2
T
2
4 π

1
g
¿
2
T
2
4 π L

g
¿
2
4 π L
2
T
¿
4
2
π

( L
T
2 )

The slope of the best fit line of the graph (of T 2 versus L) is used to calculate the
acceleration due to gravity, g.
s
l
o
p
e
¿

∆ y
∆ x
¿
2
∆ T
∆ L

1
s l o p e
¿
1
2
T
L
¿
L
2
T

g
¿
4
2
π

( 1
s l o p e )

f. A reason the student’s results are less than the expected value was that the
student who was timing each of the trials did not stop the timer when the ball
completed a full period, but slightly after. As a result, the recorded value for the
period was larger than the actual value. Since the acceleration due to gravity was
inversely related to the period, a larger period would cause the acceleration due to
gravity to be smaller than the expected value (9.8 m/s2).
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2. a. Apply the conservation of energy to derive an expression that can be used to
calculate the value of the spring constant, k.
E P Em a x
¿
K E m a x

1
2
k
2
x m a x
¿
1
2
m
2
v m a x

k
2
x m a x
¿
m
2
v m a x

k
¿
m vm a x2
x m a x2

Based on the given graph (look at the y and x intercepts), the value for the maximum
displacement from equilibrium x m a x is while the value for maximum velocity
0.1

4
v m a x is m .
s

k
¿
2
m v m a x
2
x m a x
¿

( )
2
m
( 0.125 k g ) 4
s
2
( 0.1 m )
¿
200
N
m

b. At t = 0 s, the spring is in its equilibrium position. At t = T (period), the spring will

return to this equilibrium after it has completed a full cycle. A full cycle includes the
spring stretching to its maximum amplitude, coming back to equilibrium,
compressing the maximum amount and returning to the equilibrium it started from.
The first time the spring stretches (And velocity will be zero) occurs at T/4, it returns
to equilibrium at T/2, is compressed again at ¾ T and returns to equilibrium at T.
Because the spring is changing directions through this, the velocity will also change
signs.

Here is a chart to model the velocity given the period:

Time (s) 0 T/4 T/2 (3/4) T T

Velocity 4 0 -4 0 4
(m/s)

Use these data and note that this curve should be sinusoidal in order to construct a
graph of velocity versus time.

The graph should look something like this.:

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 c. The maximum kinetic energy is found using the given variables and the graph
provided, which shows that the maximum velocity is 4 m/s.
K Em a x
¿
1
2
m
2
v m a x

K Em a x
¿
1
2
( 0.125 k g )

( )
2
m
4
s
¿
1

Like velocity, the kinetic energy reaches this maximum amplitude when it passes
through the equilibrium point (x = 0 m) and reaches zero when the spring stretches
to equilibrium. This motion is periodic, so the curve will again look sinusoidal.

Here is a table to model these values:

Time (s) 0 T/4 T/2 (3/4) T T

Kinetic 1 0 1 0 1
Energy
(J)

Based on this, the graph of kinetic energy versus time looks like:

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 d. The graph of potential energy as a function of time will look like kinetic energy
(same shape), but their maxima and minima will be switched.

The values for each given time, where “T” is the period include:

Time (s) 0 T/4 T/2 (3/4) T T

Potential 0 1 0 1 0
Energy
(J)

The graph of potential energy as a function of time goes as follows:

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 e. If the spring were stretched to amplitude at t = 0, then the graph would shift over,
such that the starting velocity becomes zero. However, because only the starting
position changed, and the motion is still considered periodic, the shape of the graph
and values for maximum amplitude (+/- 4 m/s) will stay the same.

This occurs because when the spring is at maximum amplitude, the elastic potential
E

energy of the spring is maximum (since , where x is the displacement

P
E
¿

1
2
k
2
x

from equilibrium), meaning that the kinetic energy of the system is zero. If kinetic
energy is zero, it means the velocity is also zero, and the spring does not move.

3. a. As the bob moves along the simple pendulum, there are two forces that act on it;
the force of tension and the force of gravity:

Point P Point Q

b. According to the Law of Conservation of Energy, the total energy of a system

does not change, if there are no external forces acting on the system.

Apply the Law of Conservation of Energy to solve for the speed of the bob at its
lowest position.
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 E p o i n t Q
¿
E p o i nt R

∆
G
P
E
¿
∆
K
E

m
g
∆
h
¿
1
2
m
2
( ∆ v )

g
∆
h
¿
1
2
2
∆ v

2
∆ v
¿
2
g
∆
h

∆
v
¿
√ 2 g ∆ h

∆
v
¿
v f i n a l
− ¿ v i n i t i a l
¿
v f i n a l
¿
√ 2 g ∆ h

vf i n a l
¿

√ 2
( 9.8
m
s2 ) ( 0.08 m )

c. Tension is the force caused by the pulling of a string or rope on an object. The
tension force is greatest in the string when it reaches its maximum height: at points
P and Q. This is because at the endpoint, points P and Q, the tension force is at an
angle. Although as the angle increases, it causes the horizontal component of the
tension force to increase, it also causes the vertical components of tension force to
decrease. As a result, in order to be able to support the full weight of the bob of
mass, mg, the tension force in the string must increase, compared to point R, the
lowest point where the tension is vertically up, so it can directly support the weight of
the bob of mass, mg.

Look at the free body diagrams for point P and point R:

Point P: Point R:

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 Applying Newton’s Second Law ( Σ
F
¿
m
),
a

Σ Σ
F F
¿ ¿
m m
a a

y y
: :
F T F T
co s ⁡θ
−¿ m
−¿ m
g
g
¿ ¿
m m
a y
a y
¿ ¿
0 0

F T F T
cos ⁡θ ¿
¿
m m
g g

FT
¿
m g
cos ⁡θ

m g
Since the range for cos ⁡θ is 0 < cos ⁡θ< 1, it means cos ⁡
¿
θ
(since the
m
g

displacement angle is not vertical or horizontal, meaning 0

°
¿
θ
¿
9 0
), meaning
°

tension force is maximized when cos ⁡θ is at a maximum which occurs when θ is the
largest. In this case, θ is the largest when the bob reaches its maximum height on
the trajectory, which occurs at the two endpoints: P and Q.

d. The string can be lengthened. The period of a simple pendulum mass-spring

system is found using the equation:
T
¿
2
π

√ L
g

Where L is the length of the string (in the pendulum) and g is the acceleration due to
gravity. The period of oscillations is directly proportional to L, meaning an increase
√
in the length of the pendulum would also cause the period of oscillations to increase.

4. a. Trials 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10; Ensure that an angle less than 15o is used as the simple
pendulum is not in SHM for greater angles.

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 These trials were chosen because they all were released from the same angle θ.
Since you are looking to experimentally determine the relationship between the
period of oscillations and the mass, this angle should stay constant as to only have
one independent variable (mass). Also, these trials incorporate each of the masses
possible: 0.1 kg, 0.2 kg, 0.3 kg, 0.4 kg, 0.5 kg, and 0.6 kg. This reduces the overall
experimental uncertainty.

b.

Trial # 1 3 5 7 9 10
Mass (kg) 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6
Time (s) 14.1 13.0 13.8 17.5 14.0 13.5
Period t
(n) 1.41 1.30 1.38 1.75 1.40 1.35

(s) n=10

c. Based on this graph, as the mass of the pendulum bob increased, the period of
oscillations did not change significantly, and remained constant. From this, it is safe
to conclude that there is no correlation between the mass of a pendulum bob and
the period of oscillations. These two variables are independent of one another.

d. i. In order test this hypothesis, all other variables should be held constant across
all trials to ensure that only the relationship between changing string mass and
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 period is studied. These variables include the angle at which the bob is released, the
mass of the bob, and the length of the strings.

ii. Each experimental trial should include the pendulum bob being released at an
angle θ such that it is set into simple harmonic motion. The amount of time needed
for the bob to complete ten oscillations should be used, as more oscillations would
help minimize experimental uncertainty (it is less likely for the reaction time of the
person recording to have an effect on the data that is collected). Make sure to keep
other variables in the experiment constant, including the mass of the pendulum bob,
and the angle at which the bob is released. Measure this angle in the beginning, and
keep it marked throughout the experiment. For each of the different strings, the
mass of the string and the recorded time it takes the bob to complete ten oscillations
should be recorded in a table so it can be further analyzed following the conclusion
of the trials.

Conduct multiple trials for each of the strings to reduce the uncertainty of this
investigation.

iii. The best way to analyze the recorded data from this experiment would be to
construct a graph of the period of oscillations versus the mass of the string. The
period should be calculated for each of the trials by dividing the recorded time by
ten. From the data points plotted, a best fit line should be drawn to model the data.

The shape of the graph will be used to determine if the mass of the string is linearly
proportional to the period of oscillations.

5. a. Student C is correct.

Student C is correct because the spring force is a linear restoring force, meaning it is
directed towards the equilibrium position, restoring its original, unstretched length.
This can be seen in Hooke’s Law for spring force, F
¿

–
k
s

. The negative sign

x

indicates that the spring force is in the opposite direction of the displacement of the
spring, x, from the equilibrium position. Remember that -kx determines the force on
and the acceleration of the mass, not the direction of its velocity.

When the spring is compressed in the negative direction and released, its motion is
in the positive direction and the force is in the positive direction. But, after it reaches
maximum extension, starts returning to the equilibrium position, and crosses the
equilibrium position, the force is in the positive direction again, but the motion is in
the negative direction.

b. The period of the spring when it is hanging from the ceiling (vertically) would be
the same as that of the spring that was oriented horizontally. The period of a mass-

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 T

spring system in simple harmonic motion is defined by the equation .

¿
2
π

√ m
k

When the spring is switched from horizontal to vertical, because the same spring
and block are used, both the mass m and constant of the spring, k would stay the
same. Based on the equation of the spring, the period of oscillations for the spring
would also stay the same. Only the equilibrium position of the spring changes,
shifted downwards because of gravity.

c. Apply the Conservation of Energy equation to solve for the spring constant, k.
E P Em a x
¿
K E m a x

1
2
k
2
x m a x
¿
1
2
m
2
v m a x

k
2
x m a x
¿
m
2
v m a x

k
¿
m vm a x2
x m a x2

( v m a x is found by using the given graph)

k
¿

( 0.16 )
2
( 0.3 k m
g )
s
( 0.35 m ) 2
≈
0.063
N
m

d. KA < KB
1
Kinetic energy is expressed by the equation 2
m
. According to the graph
2
v

presented, the velocity of the block is zero at point A while it is nonzero at point B,
equal to -0.13 m/s. Because kinetic energy is directly proportional to the velocity to
the mass in motion squared, if the velocity is zero, kinetic energy will also be zero.
Because the velocity of the block is nonzero at point B, and kinetic energy is a
scalar, the kinetic energy at point B is a positive constant.

e. EA > EB > EC

The total energy of the system is decreasing as time increases. In this new
experiment, as time goes on, the maximum velocity of the block (amplitude of the
graph) decreases, which indicates the kinetic energy of the system is also
decreasing. Since the total energy of a horizontal mass spring system is equal to the
sum of the elastic potential energy of the spring and kinetic energy of the block, a
decrease in the maximum kinetic energy would also cause the total energy of the
system to decrease.

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6. a. The materials needed to conduct this experiment (from the given list) include:

Photogate, Ruler, Frictionless Table, Unknown mass, Digital Scale

To determine the spring constant, k, the mass must be known along with the
maximum velocity of the mass attached to the spring and its maximum displacement
from equilibrium. Since the given mass is unknown, the digital scale is needed to
measure its mass. Once the mass is measured, the spring should be set up
horizontally on the given frictionless table. The “unknown mass” should be attached
to the end of the spring such that it can oscillate without coming free. The photogate
should be placed at the equilibrium position of the mass attached to the spring,
which is where the mass’s velocity will be maximum. The ruler is needed to measure
the length of the displacement of the mass from equilibrium. The mass should be
stretched a set distance from equilibrium and released. Both the maximum stretched
amplitude of the block and velocity of the block recorded by the photogate should be
recorded.

b. Applying the Conservation of energy equation to the horizontal mass-spring

system, there are two forms of energy to be taken into consideration: elastic
potential energy (EPE) and kinetic energy (KE). The spring constant can be derived
using the approach maximum kinetic energy is equal to the maximum elastic
potential energy.
E PEm a x
¿
K E m a x

1
2
k
2
x m a x
¿
1
2
m
2
v m a x

k
2
x m a x
¿
m
2
v m a x

k
¿
m vm a x2
x m a x2

c. Vertical Axis: Velocity Squared, v 2 ((m/s)2)

Horizontal Axis: Displacement from equilibrium squared, x 2 (m2)

d. First, the values for the velocity squared as well as the displacement of the spring
squared should be calculated so they can be graphed and used to calculate the
spring constant, k.

Here are the additions to the given table (extra calculations needed):

x (m) v x2 (m2) v2 (m2/s2)

(m/s)

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 0.0500 0.456 0.00250 0.208
0.100 0.913 0.0100 0.834
0.150 1.37 0.225 1.87
0.200 1.83 0.400 3.33
0.250 2.28 0.625 5.21

The additional data from the table above should be used to graph the velocity
squared (v2) as a function of displacement from equilibrium squared (x2).

2
v

( )
2
m
s

2
x
2
(m )
2
For the graph drawn above, the slope of the graph, or ∆ y is equal to v . This means
∆x x2
that k, the spring constant can be calculated using the slope of the best fit line of this
graph such that,
k
¿
2
m v m a x
2
x m a x
¿
m

( )
2
v
x 2

s
l
o
p
e
¿
∆ y
∆ x
¿
2
v
x 2

k
¿
m
( s l o p e )

Calculate the slope of the line by picking two points on the best fit line.

Sample Points: (0.700, 6.00) and (0.560, 4.80)

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 s
l
o
p
e
¿
∆ y
∆ x
¿
y 2 − y1
x 2 − x 1
¿
( 6.00 − 4.80 )
( 0.700− 0.560 )
¿
8.57

Finally, use the slope to solve for the spring constant, k.

k
¿
m
( s l o p e)

k
¿
( 0.500 k g )
( 8.57 )
≈
4.29
N
m

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