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A-LevelPhysicsOscillations9702/42 · May/June 2018 · Q410 Marks

State two conditions necessary for a mass to be undergoing simple harmonic motion.

  1. (a)State two conditions necessary for a mass to be undergoing simple harmonic motion.[2]
  2. (b)(i)1.A trolley of mass 950g is held on a horizontal surface by means of two springs attached to fixed points P and Q, as shown in Fig. 4.1. The springs, each having a spring constant k of 230 Nm⁻¹, are always extended. The trolley is displaced along the line of the springs and then released. The variation with time t of the displacement x of the trolley is shown in Fig. 4.2. State and explain whether the oscillations of the trolley are heavily damped, critically damped or lightly damped.[3]
  3. (b)(i)2.Suggest the cause of the damping.[3]
  4. (b)(ii)1.The acceleration a of the trolley of mass m may be assumed to be given by the expression a = – (2k/m)x. Calculate the angular frequency ω of the oscillations of the trolley.[3]
  5. (b)(ii)2.Determine the time t₁ shown on Fig. 4.2.[2]

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Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2018). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

  1. [B1] acceleration proportional to displacement
  2. [B1] acceleration directed towards fixed point or displacement and acceleration in opposite directions
  3. [B1] amplitude decreases gradually
  4. [B1] oscillations continue
  5. [B1] so light damping
  6. [B1] loss of energy
  7. [B1] due to friction in wheels
  8. [B1] due to friction between wheels and surface (during slipping) or due to air resistance (on trolley)
  9. [C1] ω² = 2k/m
  10. [C1] = (2 × 230)/0.950
  11. [A1] ω = 22 rad s⁻¹
  12. [C1] T = 2π/ω
  13. [A1] T = (2π / 22) = 0.286 s
  14. time = 1.5T
  15. = 0.43 s

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About this question

Topic
Oscillations, A-Level Physics (syllabus 9702). Structured question, 10 marks.
Source
A-Level Physics, May/June 2018 Paper 4 Variant 2, question 4.

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