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AP Physics 1 7.2 SHM Frequency and Period Overview

Relate the frequency and period of simple harmonic motion to system parameters, including spring–mass and pendulum behavior where applicable.

Syllabus
Effective Fall 2025
Course
AP Physics 1: Algebra-Based

Exam points

  • Relate frequency and period as reciprocal descriptions of the timing of simple harmonic motion.
  • Compare how system parameters change the frequency or period of an SHM oscillator.

7.2 Frequency and Period of SHM question 1

[Maximum number: 8]

(12 points, suggested time 25 minutes)
A student hangs a spring of unknown spring constant k vertically by attaching one end to a stand, as shown in Figure 1. The other end of the spring has a small loop from which small cylinders can be hung. In addition to the spring, the student has access only to a variety of cylinders of unknown masses, a stopwatch, and a digital scale.

Question (a)

(a)

Design an experimental procedure the student could use to determine the spring constant k of the spring.
In the following table, list the quantities that would be measured using only the provided equipment in your experiment. Define a symbol to represent each quantity.
In the space below the table, describe the overall procedure. Provide enough detail so that another student could replicate the experiment, including any steps necessary to reduce experimental uncertainty. As needed, use the symbols defined in the table. If needed, you may include a simple diagram of the setup with your procedure.

Table for Question (a) — AP Physics 1: Algebra-Based
[ 4 ]

Question (b)

(b)

Indicate the quantities that could be plotted to produce a linear graph whose slope can be used to determine the spring constant k of the spring.

Vertical axis: Horizontal axis:

[ 2 ]

Question (c)

(c)

Briefly describe how the slope of the graph would be analyzed to determine the spring constant k of the spring.

Figure 2

Figure 2

In a different experiment, the student attaches one end of a spring to a force sensor that is attached to a wall. The other end of the spring is attached to a cart with mass m=0.25 kgm=0.25 \mathrm{~kg}. The student places a motion detector to the right of the cart, as shown in Figure 2, and pulls the cart to the right a small distance so that the spring is stretched. The student releases the cart from rest, and the cart-spring system oscillates.

The following graphs show the velocity v of the cart and the force F exerted on the cart by the spring as functions of time t.

Figure for Question (c) — AP Physics 1: Algebra-Based
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