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A-LevelPhysicsOscillationsOct/Nov 2021Paper 4 Q411 Marks

A trolley on a track is attached by springs to fixed blocks X and Y, as shown in [Figure 4.1]. The track contains many small holes through which air is blown vertically upwards. This results in the trolley resting on a cushion of air rather than being in direct contact with the track. The trolley is pulled to one side of its equilibrium position and then released so that it oscillates initially with simple harmonic motion. After a short time, the air blower is switched off. The variation with time t of the distance L of the trolley from block X is shown in [Figure 4.2].

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About This A-Level Physics Question

This structured question appeared in the Cambridge A-Level Physics (9702) Oct/Nov 2021 examination, Paper 4 Variant 1. It tests the topic of Oscillations and is worth 11 marks.

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