Lesson 5.3.1

5.3.1 Simple harmonic oscillations Quiz: OCR Physics, Unit 4

20 questions

Written by Revision Ninja · Last reviewed 11 October 2026

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Lesson 5.3.1, Simple harmonic oscillations: 20 multiple choice questions for the OCR Physics (H156), Unit 4: Newtonian world and astrophysics, written with Revision Ninja.

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The 20 questions

  1. The defining equation of simple harmonic motion is:

    • a = omega^2 x^2
    • a = -x/omega
    • a = omega x
    • a = -omega^2 x

  2. What term describes the maximum displacement of an oscillator from equilibrium?

    • Phase
    • Frequency
    • Amplitude
    • Period

  3. An oscillator has frequency 5.0 Hz. What is its angular frequency?

    • 10 rad/s
    • 0.2 rad/s
    • 5.0 rad/s
    • 31 rad/s

  4. An SHM oscillator has omega = 10 rad/s and amplitude 0.050 m. What is its maximum speed?

    • 0.20 m/s
    • 0.005 m/s
    • 5.0 m/s
    • 0.50 m/s

  5. The same oscillator (omega = 10 rad/s, amplitude 0.050 m) has maximum acceleration of:

    • 0.50 m/s^2
    • 5.0 m/s^2
    • 50 m/s^2
    • 0 m/s^2

  6. The period of a simple harmonic oscillator is independent of its:

    • amplitude
    • mass
    • angular frequency
    • spring constant

  7. Where is the speed of a simple harmonic oscillator greatest?

    • Equilibrium position
    • Extreme position
    • Maximum displacement
    • Maximum amplitude

  8. In what direction does acceleration point in simple harmonic motion?

    • Along velocity
    • Towards equilibrium
    • Perpendicular to motion
    • Away from equilibrium

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

    • A/2
    • -A
    • A
    • 0

  10. An oscillator has angular frequency 4 pi rad/s. What is its period?

    • 0.25 s
    • 2 s
    • 4 s
    • 0.5 s

  11. A mass of 0.40 kg on a spring of stiffness 160 N/m oscillates. What is its period? (T = 2 pi sqrt(m/k))

    • 0.13 s
    • 0.31 s
    • 0.05 s
    • 2.0 s

  12. In simple harmonic motion, the phase difference between displacement and acceleration is:

    • pi rad
    • 0 rad
    • pi/2 rad
    • 2 pi rad

  13. Where is the acceleration magnitude of a simple harmonic oscillator maximum?

    • Maximum displacement
    • Zero displacement
    • Half amplitude
    • Equilibrium position

  14. An oscillator has velocity given by v = omega sqrt(A^2 - x^2). With A = 0.10 m, omega = 5.0 rad/s and x = 0.06 m, what is the speed?

    • 0.80 m/s
    • 0.50 m/s
    • 0.30 m/s
    • 0.40 m/s

  15. An oscillator has amplitude 0.20 m and period 2.0 s, with x = A cos(omega t). What is the displacement at t = 0.5 s?

    • -0.20 m
    • 0.20 m
    • 0.10 m
    • 0 m

  16. What is the speed of a simple harmonic oscillator at maximum displacement?

    • Maximum
    • Constant non-zero
    • Half maximum
    • Zero

  17. An oscillator has angular velocity 2.0 rad/s. What is its frequency?

    • 0.5 Hz
    • 0.32 Hz
    • 12.6 Hz
    • 2.0 Hz

  18. What shape is a velocity against displacement graph for simple harmonic motion?

    • Ellipse
    • Sine wave
    • Straight line
    • Parabola

  19. If the mass on a spring is doubled, the period of its oscillation:

    • multiplies by sqrt(2)
    • is unchanged
    • doubles
    • halves

  20. A displacement x = 0.04 cos(8 pi t) m describes an oscillator. What is its maximum speed?

    • 1.0 m/s
    • 4.0 m/s
    • 0.32 m/s
    • 0.04 m/s

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