Practice C.1 Simple harmonic motion with authentic IB Physics exam questions for both SL and HL students. This question bank mirrors Paper 1A, 1B, 2 structure, covering key topics like mechanics, thermodynamics, and waves. Get instant solutions, detailed explanations, and build exam confidence with questions in the style of IB examiners.
The graph shows the displacement-time representation of two transverse waves (solid and dashed) travelling through the same medium. Both waves have the same amplitude and frequency.
State the amplitude of either wave.
Determine the period of the waves.
Determine the phase difference between the two waves.
Outline one difference between the two waves other than phase.
Explain how the graph supports the principle of superposition.
A block of mass is attached to a spring with a spring constant and oscillates on a frictionless surface. The maximum displacement from equilibrium is .
Calculate the angular frequency of the motion.
Determine the maximum speed of the block.
Calculate the maximum kinetic energy of the block.
Determine the speed of the block when it is from the equilibrium position.
Explain why the potential and kinetic energy vary during the motion, even though their sum remains constant.
The graph shows the transverse displacement in millimetres of points on a stretched string as a function of distance in metres along the string at a fixed instant in time.
State the amplitude of the wave.
State the wavelength of the wave.
The wave has a frequency of . Calculate the speed of the wave.
Identify whether this is a transverse or longitudinal wave. Justify your answer.
A student investigates a mass-spring system undergoing vertical simple harmonic motion. The system has a spring constant and supports a mass of . The system oscillates with an amplitude of .
Calculate the natural frequency of the oscillation.
Calculate the total mechanical energy of the system.
Determine the displacement of the mass when the speed is .
Explain how damping would affect the amplitude and energy of this system over time.
A body moves in simple harmonic motion (SHM). At time , the displacement is zero and the body is moving in the positive direction.
Which graph correctly shows the variation of the body's kinetic energy with time?
The graph shows the displacement in millimetres of a point on a string as a function of time in seconds.
State the type of wave represented by the graph.
Determine the amplitude and period of the wave.
Calculate the frequency of the wave.
Outline how you could confirm whether this motion represents simple harmonic motion.
Sketch a graph of the velocity of the point against time, from to .
What is the phase difference between velocity and acceleration in simple harmonic motion?
A mass is attached to a spring and performs simple harmonic motion with an amplitude of and a maximum speed of .
State the relationship between maximum speed, amplitude, and angular frequency.
Calculate the angular frequency of the motion.
Determine the period of the oscillation.
A particle moves according to the equation (in metres and seconds).
Determine the displacement and velocity of the particle at .
Calculate the maximum speed of the particle.
Determine the total energy of the system if the mass of the particle is .
Calculate the potential energy of the particle at .
Explain the meaning of negative velocity in this context.
A mass on a spring oscillates with frequency . What is the period of oscillation?