Lesson 3.6.1.3

3.6.1.3 Simple harmonic systems Quiz: AQA Physics, Unit 6

20 questions

Written by Revision Ninja · Last reviewed 11 October 2026

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Lesson 3.6.1.3, Simple harmonic systems: 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. The period of a mass-spring system is:

    • T = 2 pi sqrt(m k)
    • T = 2 pi m k
    • T = 2 pi sqrt(m / k)
    • T = 2 pi sqrt(k / m)

  2. The period of a simple pendulum for small oscillations is:

    • T = 2 pi l / g
    • T = 2 pi sqrt(g / l)
    • T = 2 pi l g
    • T = 2 pi sqrt(l / g)

  3. The small-angle approximation used to derive pendulum SHM states that:

    • cos(theta) is approximately zero for small angles
    • sin(theta) is approximately equal to theta, in radians, for small angles
    • tan(theta) is approximately one for small angles
    • theta is approximately 90 degrees for small angles

  4. The period of a simple pendulum does not depend on:

    • the gravitational field strength
    • the length of the string
    • the square root of the length
    • the mass of the bob

  5. In undamped SHM, the total energy of the oscillator is:

    • constant, shifting between kinetic and potential energy
    • maximum at equilibrium only
    • zero at the turning points
    • increasing with time

  6. Light damping of an oscillator causes:

    • the amplitude to increase and the period to decrease
    • both the amplitude and the period to increase
    • the amplitude to remain constant while the period increases
    • the amplitude to decrease with time, with the period almost unchanged

  7. Heavy damping of an oscillator means that it:

    • oscillates with constant amplitude
    • oscillates with increasing amplitude
    • has its period doubled
    • returns to equilibrium without oscillating

  8. A 0.20 kg mass on a spring of stiffness 50 N m^-1 oscillates. What is its period?

    • 0.20 s
    • 0.063 s
    • 2.5 s
    • 0.40 s

  9. A simple pendulum has length 1.0 m (g = 9.8 m/s^2). What is its period?

    • 4.0 s
    • 0.32 s
    • 1.0 s
    • 2.0 s

  10. To double the period of a simple pendulum, the length must be:

    • increased by a factor of 4 in mass
    • halved
    • doubled
    • quadrupled

  11. A mass-spring system has period 1.5 s with a 0.40 kg mass. What is the spring constant?

    • 14 N m^-1
    • 0.9 N m^-1
    • 7.0 N m^-1
    • 2.4 N m^-1

  12. A simple pendulum of length 0.25 m is used where g = 1.6 m s^-2. What is its period?

    • 6.2 s
    • 1.0 s
    • 0.40 s
    • 2.5 s

  13. The mass on a spring is increased by a factor of four. The period of oscillation:

    • halves
    • is unchanged
    • doubles
    • increases by a factor of four

  14. A 0.20 kg mass on a spring of stiffness 80 N m^-1 oscillates with amplitude 0.050 m. What is its total energy?

    • 0.10 J
    • 0.20 J
    • 0.40 J
    • 0.02 J

  15. A 0.20 kg mass on a spring of stiffness 400 N m^-1 oscillates with amplitude 0.050 m. What is its maximum speed?

    • 0.20 m s^-1
    • 1.0 m s^-1
    • 0.40 m s^-1
    • 2.2 m s^-1

  16. A student measures the period of a 0.50 m pendulum as 1.42 s. Using T = 2 pi sqrt(l/g), what is g?

    • about 9.8 m s^-2
    • about 0.98 m s^-2
    • about 3.5 m s^-2
    • about 19.6 m s^-2

  17. A 0.50 kg mass on a spring has period 0.80 s. A further 0.20 kg is added to the mass. What is the new period?

    • 0.67 s
    • 0.95 s
    • 0.80 s
    • 1.13 s

  18. A pendulum is released from a large angle of 60 degrees. Which statement about its period is best?

    • The period equals the small-angle value, since amplitude never affects period.
    • The period is smaller than the small-angle value, since the restoring force increases.
    • The period is independent of length at large angles.
    • The period is greater than the small-angle value, since sin(theta) is no longer approximately theta.

  19. A student says that light damping greatly changes the period of an oscillator. Which response is best?

    • Incorrect: light damping leaves the period almost unchanged, but the amplitude falls with time.
    • Incorrect: the period increases to infinity in every case of damping.
    • Correct: damping always doubles the period of an oscillator.
    • Correct: damping increases the frequency of oscillation.

  20. A 0.50 kg mass on a spring of stiffness 20 N m^-1 has amplitude 0.10 m. What is its maximum speed?

    • 0.63 m s^-1
    • 0.04 m s^-1
    • 1.26 m s^-1
    • 0.20 m s^-1

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