Module 10 review questions

Question 1

A mass/spring system is displaced from equilibrium by 5.0 cm and its period of motion is determined to be 3.0 seconds. What will the period be if it is displaced from equilibrium by 15.0 cm?

Answer 1

A mass/spring system exhibits simple harmonic motion. In simple harmonic motion, the period is independent of the amplitude. The period is still 3.0 seconds.

Question 2

A mass/spring system is displaced from equilibrium by 34.1 cm. What is the amplitude of its motion?

Answer 2

34.1 cm.

Question 3

A heavy box is dropped on a spring, and the maximum compression of the spring is measured before the spring pushes the box back up. If the box is dropped from a greater height, what will happen to the maximum compression of the spring?

Answer 3

The spring will compress farther when the box is dropped from a greater height because the box will have more energy, allowing it do more work in compressing the spring.

Question 4

If a pendulum’s period is measured on earth and on the moon, where will the period be the longest?

Answer 4

Equation 10.20 tells us that the period depends inversely on the acceleration due to gravity. Since the acceleration due to gravity is less on the moon, the period will be larger on the moon.