THE UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST INDIES

FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS

PHYS 1222 - Introduction to Optics, Oscillations and Waves

TUTORIAL #1
Instructions: Please attempt the following questions before your tutorial sessions in the week of 25th
September – 29th September 2018.

1. An object undergoing simple harmonic takes 0.25 s to travel to one point of zero velocity to the next
such point. The distance between those points is 36 cm. Calculate the
(a) period,
(b) frequency, and
(c) amplitude of the motion.
Answers: (a) 0.50 sec (b) f = 2.0 Hz (c) xm = 18 cm

2. Many tall buildings have mass dampers, which are anti-sway devices to prevent them from oscillating
in a wind. The device might be a block oscillating at the end of a spring and on a lubricated track. If the
building sways, say eastward, the block also moves eastward but delayed enough so that when it finally
moves, the building is then moving back westward. Thus, the motion of the oscillator is out of step with
the motion of the building. Suppose the block has mass m = 2.72 x 105 kg is designed to oscillate at
frequency f = 10.0 Hz and with amplitude xm = 20.0 cm.
(a) What is the total mechanical energy E of the spring-block system?
(b) What is the block’s speed as it passes through the equilibrium point?

Answers: (a) E = 2.15 x 107 J (b) v = 12.6 m/s

3. At t =0, the displacement x(0) of the block in a linear oscillator is -8.50 cm. The block’s velocity v(0)
then is -0.92 m/s and its acceleration a(0) is +47.0 m/s2.
(a) What is the angular frequency ω of this system?
(b) What are the phase constant ϕ and amplitude xm?
Answers: (a) ω = 23.5 rad/s (b) ϕ = 155° and xm = 9.4 cm
4. A 1.00 kg glider attached to a spring with a force constant of 25.0 N/m oscillates on a frictionless,
horizontal air track. At t = 0, the glider is released from rest at x = -3.00 cm that is, the spring is
compressed by 3.00 cm). Find
(a) The period of the glider’s motion,
(b) The maximum values of its speed and acceleration, and
(c) The position, velocity and acceleration as functions of time.

Answers: (a) T = 1.26 s (b) vmax = 0.15 m/s and amax = 0.75 m/s2 (c) x = 3.0 cos(5.00t +π), v = -
15.0 sin(5.00t +π) and a = -75.0 cos(5.00t +π)

5. A simple pendulum makes 120 complete oscillations in 3.00 min at a location g = 9.80 m/s2. Find
(a) The period of the pendulum and
(b) Its length.

Answers: (a) T = 1.50 s (b) l = 0.559 m

6. A physical pendulum in the form of a planar object moves in simple harmonic motion with a frequency
of 0.45 Hz. The pendulum has a mass of 2.20 kg, and the pivot is located 0.35 m from the center of mass.
Determine the moment of inertia of the pendulum about the pivot point.

Answers: I = 0.944 kg. m2