Free Simple Harmonic Motion MCQs with Answers
466 Simple Harmonic Motion MCQs from Physics, each with the correct answer and a written explanation of why it is correct. Free and unlimited, with no account needed.
Simple harmonic motion is oscillation in which acceleration is directly proportional to displacement and directed toward the equilibrium position. Work includes displacement, velocity, acceleration, phase, period, frequency, amplitude and energy, with applications to springs and simple pendulums. The restoring force and the conditions for SHM distinguish it from general periodic motion.
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466 questions · page 9 of 24
- A. Maximum
- B. Zero
- C. Negative maximum
- D. Constant
Explanation: In SHM, displacement and velocity are 90° out of phase. When velocity is maximum → particle passes through mean position (x=0)
Correct answer: Zero- A. Velocity and displacement
- B. Acceleration and displacement
- C. Velocity and acceleration
- D. Displacement and restoring force
Explanation: Both always act in opposite directions but have the same phase angle
Correct answer: Displacement and restoring force- A. Constant and opposite in direction to displacement
- B. Proportional to displacement and opposite in direction
- C. Proportional to velocity
- D. Independent of displacement
Explanation: Definition of SHM: F = -kxForce increases as displacement increases. Force always points toward the mean position.
Correct answer: Proportional to displacement and opposite in direction- A. Mean position
- B. Extreme position
- C. Midway
- D. Constant everywhere
Explanation: The kinetic energy of simple pendulum is maximum at mean position. This is because at mean position, pendulum's bob has its greatest…
Correct answer: Mean position- A. Straight line
- B. Parabola
- C. Circle
- D. Exponential
Explanation: The potential energy versus displacement graph in Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM) is a parabola because the potential energy (U) is…
Correct answer: Parabola- A. Acceleration
- B. Velocity
- C. Kinetic energy
- D. Potential energy
Explanation: In SHM, acceleration is given by , where is displacement. Acceleration is directly proportional to displacement andalways opposite in…
Correct answer: Acceleration- A. 4.567 s
- B. 3.416 s
- C. 2.315 s
- D. 0.628 s
Explanation: The time period of vibration can be calculated using the formula: T = 2π √(m/k) In this case, the mass of the body is 4 kg and the spring…
Correct answer: 0.628 s- A. Damped
- B. Critical
- C. Undamped
- D. Non-critical
Explanation: There is no change in the oscillation's amplitude hence it is undamped.
Correct answer: Undamped- A. 2 π Hertz
- B. π/2 Hertz
- C. 1/2π Hertz
- D. π/4 Hertz
Explanation: The frequency of a simple pendulum depends on the ratio . When , this ratio equals 1, so the pendulum makes one oscillation every seconds.
Correct answer: 1/2π Hertz- A. A
- B. B
- C. C
- D. D
Explanation: The correct graph would be a sinusoidal curve that oscillates symmetrically around the x-axis.
Correct answer: C- A. Constant
- B. Proportional to displacement
- C. Proportional to square of displacement
- D. Independent of displacement
Explanation: Showing acceleration ∝-displacement.(toward mean position)
Correct answer: Proportional to displacement- A. Twice the frequency
- B. Half the period
- C. Half the frequency
- D. Twice the period
Explanation: The displacement-time graph of an oscillating particle can be used to find important characteristics of its motion, such as amplitude…
Correct answer: Half the period- A. 2 Hz
- B. 20 Hz
- C. 4 Hz
- D. 40 Hz
Explanation: Vibrations = 100Time = 5 sFrequency = vibrations/time= 100/5= 20 HzHence, option B is the correct
Correct answer: 20 Hz- A. Option A
- B. Option B
- C. Option C
- D. None
Explanation: Kinetic Energy (K.E.): The kinetic energy of a body undergoing SHM varies sinusoidally with time.
Correct answer: Option A- A. 3.973 m
- B. 5.123 m
- C. 7.111 m
- D. 9.231 m
Explanation: This option uses the correct application of the formula T = 2π√(l/g) and solves for l using the given values, resulting in the length of…
Correct answer: 3.973 m- A. K and L
- B. K and M
- C. K, L and M
- D. L and M
Explanation: Option B is the correct choice because it accurately describes the energy conditions in simple harmonic motion.
Correct answer: K and M- A. 2√6 seconds
- B. 1 second
- C. 2 seconds
- D. 6√2 seconds
Explanation: The time period of a simple pendulum is given by the formula: T = 2π√(L/g)On the Moon, gravity is 1/6 of Earth's, so the pendulum's time…
Correct answer: 2√6 seconds- A. 0.4 Nm-2
- B. 40 Nm-1
- C. 400 Nm-1
- D. 4 Nm-1
Explanation: When a spring is stretched/compressed by the application of a force, the relationship between the magnitude of the force applied and the…
Correct answer: 4 Nm-1- A. The body is at mean position
- B. The body is at extreme position from the mean
- C. The body is exactly half way down between mean and extreme position
- D. The body is somewhere between mean and extreme position
Explanation: In simple harmonic motion, there is a continuous interchange of kinetic energy and potential energy.
Correct answer: The body is at mean position- A. Directly proportional ; maximum position
- B. Inversely proportional ; maximum position
- C. Directly proportional ; mean position
- D. Directly proportional ; minimum position
Explanation: For a simple harmonic motion, the acceleration of the body is directly proportional to the displacement and always directed towards the…
Correct answer: Directly proportional ; mean position