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CAIE A-Level Physics 17.1.1 Oscillation Terms

Practise reading displacement, amplitude, period, frequency, angular frequency and phase from equations, graphs or data, converting units and comparing motion.

Syllabus
2028–2030
Course
Physics 9702
Level
A2

Exam points

  • define and interpret displacement, amplitude, period, frequency, angular frequency and phase difference in oscillations
  • convert between period, frequency and angular frequency using consistent units
  • read oscillation parameters from equations, graphs or stated motion
  • compare phase and displacement at different times or positions

17.1.1—The terms displacement, amplitude, period, frequency, angular frequency and question 1

[Maximum number: 4]

A spring is hung vertically from a fixed point. A mass M is hung from the other end of the spring, as illustrated in Fig. 3.1.

Fig. 3.1

Fig. 3.1

The mass is displaced downwards and then released. The subsequent motion of the mass is simple harmonic.

The variation with time t of the length L of the spring is shown in Fig. 3.2.

Fig. 3.2

Fig. 3.2

Question (a)

(a)

Use data from Fig. 3.2 to determine, for the motion of the mass:

[ 2 ]

Question (i)

(i)

the angular frequency ω\omegaω=\omega=rads−1\mathrm{rads}^{-1}

[ 2 ]

Question (b)

(b)

The mass M is now suspended from two springs, each identical to that in Fig. 3.1, as shown in Fig. 3.3.

Fig. 3.3

Fig. 3.3

Suggest and explain the change, if any, in the period of oscillation of the mass. A numerical answer is not required.

[ 2 ]
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