Lesson 3.6.1.2

3.6.1.2 Simple harmonic motion Quiz: AQA Physics, Unit 6

20 questions

Written by Revision Ninja · Last reviewed 11 October 2026

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Lesson 3.6.1.2, Simple harmonic motion: 20 multiple choice questions for the AQA Physics (7408), Unit 6: Further mechanics and thermal physics (A-level only), written with Revision Ninja.

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The 20 questions

  1. A body performs simple harmonic motion when its acceleration is:

    • proportional to its velocity
    • constant and in the same direction as its displacement
    • proportional to its displacement and directed away from equilibrium
    • proportional to its displacement and directed towards the equilibrium position

  2. In the defining equation a = -omega^2 x, the negative sign shows that:

    • omega is negative
    • the displacement is negative at all times
    • the acceleration is always in the same direction as the displacement
    • the acceleration is always opposite in direction to the displacement

  3. For x = A cos(omega t), the displacement at t = 0 is:

    • zero
    • A, the amplitude
    • omega A
    • -A

  4. The maximum speed in SHM is:

    • omega^2 A
    • omega^2 A^2
    • A / omega
    • omega A

  5. The maximum acceleration in SHM is:

    • omega A^2
    • omega^2 A
    • A / omega^2
    • omega A

  6. In SHM, the velocity is zero when the displacement equals:

    • omega
    • A / 2
    • the amplitude, plus or minus A
    • zero

  7. The gradient of a displacement-time graph gives:

    • energy
    • acceleration
    • velocity
    • force

  8. An SHM oscillation has amplitude 0.050 m and frequency 2.0 Hz. What is the maximum speed?

    • 0.63 m s^-1
    • 6.3 m s^-1
    • 0.31 m s^-1
    • 0.10 m s^-1

  9. An oscillator of amplitude 0.050 m and frequency 2.0 Hz has what maximum acceleration?

    • 3.9 m s^-2
    • 7.9 m s^-2
    • 16 m s^-2
    • 0.63 m s^-2

  10. A displacement is x = 0.040 cos(10 t) m. What is the displacement at t = 0.10 s?

    • 0.0084 m
    • 0.040 m
    • 0.022 m
    • 0.0067 m

  11. An SHM oscillator has period 0.50 s. What is its angular frequency?

    • 1.0 rad s^-1
    • 3.1 rad s^-1
    • 12.6 rad s^-1
    • 25 rad s^-1

  12. An oscillator with amplitude 0.10 m and angular frequency 5.0 rad/s is at displacement 0.060 m. What is its speed?

    • 0.80 m s^-1
    • 0.30 m s^-1
    • 0.50 m s^-1
    • 0.40 m s^-1

  13. For SHM, the magnitude of acceleration is greatest:

    • at the equilibrium position
    • at all times, as it is constant
    • when the displacement is greatest in magnitude, and zero at equilibrium
    • zero at the extremes of motion

  14. In SHM, the speed is greatest:

    • at half the amplitude
    • at the extremes of motion
    • when the acceleration is greatest
    • at the equilibrium position

  15. At which point in SHM is the kinetic energy a maximum?

    • each turning point
    • where displacement equals the amplitude
    • where velocity is zero
    • the equilibrium position

  16. If the amplitude of an SHM system is doubled with the same frequency, its maximum speed and maximum acceleration:

    • both halve
    • both quadruple
    • double but the period halves
    • both double

  17. An SHM oscillator has a = -64 x (SI units). At displacement x = 0.020 m, what is the acceleration?

    • -0.16 m s^-2
    • -2.6 m s^-2
    • +1.3 m s^-2
    • -1.3 m s^-2

  18. An SHM oscillator has frequency 3.0 Hz and amplitude 0.020 m. What is its speed when the displacement is 0.010 m?

    • 1.1 m s^-1
    • 0.57 m s^-1
    • 0.33 m s^-1
    • 0.19 m s^-1

  19. A student says the velocity-time graph of SHM is a straight line. Which response is best?

    • Incorrect: the velocity-time graph is a parabola for all SHM.
    • Incorrect: the v-t graph is sinusoidal, because its gradient is the acceleration, which varies with displacement.
    • Correct: the speed in SHM is constant throughout.
    • Correct: SHM has constant acceleration, so velocity changes linearly.

  20. An SHM oscillator has period 0.80 s. How long does it take to travel from maximum displacement to the equilibrium position?

    • 0.80 s
    • 0.20 s
    • 0.40 s
    • 0.10 s

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