1.

The graph below shows the variation with time t of the displacement x of a particle undergoing
simple harmonic motion.

Which graph correctly shows the variation with time t of the acceleration a of the particle?

(1)

2.

A wooden block is at rest on a horizontal frictionless surface. A horizontal spring is attached

between the block and a rigid support.

The block is displaced to the right by an amount X and is then released. The period of
oscillations is T and the total energy of the system is E.
For an initial displacement of

X
which of the following shows the best estimate for the period
2

of oscillations and the total energy of the system?

Period

Total energy

A.

E
2

B.

E
4

C.

T
2

E
2

D.

T
2

E
4
(1)

3.

Simple harmonic motion and the greenhouse effect

(a)

A body is displaced from equilibrium. State the two conditions necessary for the body to
execute simple harmonic motion.
1.

.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................

2.

.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................
(2)

(b)

In a simple model of a methane molecule, a hydrogen atom and the carbon atom can be
regarded as two masses attached by a spring. A hydrogen atom is much less massive than
the carbon atom such that any displacement of the carbon atom may be ignored.
The graph below shows the variation with time t of the displacement x from its
equilibrium position of a hydrogen atom in a molecule of methane.

The mass of hydrogen atom is 1.7 1027 kg. Use data from the graph above
(i)

to determine its amplitude of oscillation.

.........................................................................................................................
(1)

(ii)

to show that the frequency of its oscillation is 9.1 1013 Hz.

.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................
(2)

(iii)

to show that the maximum kinetic energy of the hydrogen atom is 6.2 1018 J.
.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................
(2)

(c)

On the grid below, sketch a graph to show the variation with time t of the speed v of the
hydrogen atom for one period of oscillation starting at t = 0. (There is no need to add
values to the speed axis.)

(3)

(d)

Assuming that the motion of the hydrogen atom is simple harmonic, its frequency of
oscillation f is given by the expression
f=

1
2

k
,
mp

where k is the force per unit displacement between a hydrogen atom and the carbon atom
and mp is the mass of a proton.
(i)

Show that the value of k is approximately 560 N m1.

.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................
(1)

(ii)

Estimate, using your answer to (d)(i), the maximum acceleration of the hydrogen
atom.
.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................
(2)

(e)

Methane is classified as a greenhouse gas.

(i)

Describe what is meant by a greenhouse gas.

.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................
(2)

(ii)

Electromagnetic radiation of frequency 9.1 1013 Hz is in the infrared region of

the electromagnetic spectrum. Suggest, based on the information given in (b)(ii),
why methane is classified as a greenhouse gas.
.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 17 marks)

4.

The graph below shows the variation with time t of the displacement x of a particle undergoing
simple harmonic motion.

Which graph correctly shows the variation with time t of the acceleration a of the particle?

(1)

5.

Simple harmonic motion and the greenhouse effect

(a)

A body is displaced from equilibrium. State the two conditions necessary for the body to
execute simple harmonic motion.
1.

.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................

2.

.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................
(2)

(b)

In a simple model of a methane molecule, a hydrogen atom and the carbon atom can be
regarded as two masses attached by a spring. A hydrogen atom is much less massive than
the carbon atom such that any displacement of the carbon atom may be ignored.
The graph below shows the variation with time t of the displacement x from its
equilibrium position of a hydrogen atom in a molecule of methane.

The mass of hydrogen atom is 1.7 1027 kg. Use data from the graph above
(i)

to determine its amplitude of oscillation.

.........................................................................................................................
(1)

(ii)

to show that the frequency of its oscillation is 9.1 1013 Hz.

.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................
(2)

(iii)

to show that the maximum kinetic energy of the hydrogen atom is 6.2 1018 J.
.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................
(2)

(c)

Assuming that the motion of the hydrogen atom is simple harmonic, its frequency of
oscillation f is given by the expression
f=

1
2

k
,
mp

where k is the force per unit displacement between a hydrogen atom and the carbon atom
and mp is the mass of a proton.
(i)

Show that the value of k is approximately 560 N m1.

.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................
(1)

(ii)

Estimate, using your answer to (c)(i), the maximum acceleration of the hydrogen
atom.
.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................
(2)

(d)

Methane is classified as a greenhouse gas.

(i)

Describe what is meant by a greenhouse gas.

.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................
(2)

(ii)

Electromagnetic radiation of frequency 9.1 1013 Hz is in the infrared region of

the electromagnetic spectrum. Suggest, based on the information given in (b)(ii),
why methane is classified as a greenhouse gas.
.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 14 marks)