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IB Physics SL C.1.6 Simple Harmonic Motion Graphs Question Bank

Practise IB Physics SL C.1.6 by linking displacement, velocity and acceleration graphs through phase, signs, turning points and extrema.

Syllabus
First assessment 2025
Course
Physics SL
Level
SL

Exam points

  • Match displacement, velocity and acceleration curves using phase, signs and turning points.
  • Read maximum speed or acceleration from SHM graphs and identify equilibrium positions.
  • Sketch one SHM graph from another while preserving period, phase and amplitude.

C.1.6—SHM graphs question 1

[Maximum number: 2]

This question is in two parts. Part 1 is about solar radiation and the greenhouse effect. Part 2 is about a mass on a spring.

Part 1 Solar radiation and the greenhouse effect
The following data are available.

Table for Question C.1.6—SHM graphs question 1 — IB Physics SL

Question (a)

(a)

Outline the conditions necessary for the object to execute simple harmonic motion.

[ 2 ]

Question (i)

(i)

The sketch graph below shows how the displacement of the object from point O varies with time over three time periods.

Figure for Question (i) — IB Physics SL

(i) Label with the letter A a point at which the magnitude of the acceleration of the object is a maximum.

[ 1 ]

Question (ii)

(ii)

Label with the letter V a point at which the speed of the object is a maximum.

[ 1 ]
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