Cambridge International A Level Physics Answers to self-assessment questions

Answers to SAQs
Chapter 19 12

a 0.20 m
b 0.4 s
1 a Forced 1 = 2.5 Hz
c Frequency = T1 = 0.4
b Free d Angular frequency ω = 2πf = 5π rad s–1
c Free e –0.1 m
d Forced f 0 m s–1
g 3.1 m s–1
2 Curved (Figure 19.6a)
13

a
3 Amplitude = 10 cm, period = 120 ms (0.12 s), x / 10–12 m
1 = 8.3 Hz
frequency =  T1 = 0.120 2

1
4 a Half an oscillation
0
b The waves have different frequencies so the 0.5 1.0 t / 10–14 s
phase difference is continuously changing. –1

–2
5 The trolley is the mass; the central position
of the trolley is the equilibrium position; the
resultant restoring force of the springs is the b Gradient at steepest point, giving
force. approximately 1.3 × 103 m s–1

6 The restoring force is not proportional to 14

a 3 × 10–4 m (0.3 mm)

the distance from the equilibrium point. b Frequency = 240π
2π = 120 Hz
When the person is not in contact with the 1 = 8.3 × 10–3 s
c Period = 1f = 120
trampoline the restoring force is equal to the
person’s weight, which is constant. 15

a x = 0.15 cos(πt)
7 a Amplitude = 0.02 m b x/m
+0.15
b Time period = 0.40 s
c Maximum velocity  =  0.31 m s–1
0
d Maximum acceleration  =  5.0 m s–2 2.0 4.0 t / s

8 At the extreme left of the oscillation (i.e. –0.15

maximum negative displacement), the
acceleration is positive (towards the right). 16

a Angular frequency
ω = 2πf = 2 × π × 1.4 = 8.80 s–1
9 Gradient = 0, velocity = 0 So a = –ω2x = –77.4x
10
a 0 cm s–1
b Acceleration = –77.4 × 0.050 = 3.9 m s–2
b 47 cm s–1 17 Angular frequency ω = 2πf so, in acceleration
c 0 cm s–2 equation, a = –ω2x = –4π2f 2x
meaning 4π2f 2 = 300 s–2, therefore
11
a Period T = 1f = 1.0
2 = 0.5 s 300
b 2 Hz f =   4π2 = 2.76 Hz ≈ 2.8 Hz
c Angular frequency ω = 2πf = 4π rad s–1

Cambridge International AS and A Level Physics © Cambridge University Press 2014

 Cambridge International A Level Physics Answers to self-assessment questions

Undamped pendulum total

energy
18

a i 2.0 s 23

a
1 = 0.5 Hz
ii Frequency = T1 = 2.0
iii Angular frequency, ω = 2πf = π rad s–1 or kinetic
energy
3.14 rad s–1

Energy
b a = –ω2x = –9.87x or a = –π2x
potential
c Maximum speed = ωx0 = 3.14 × 12 energy
= 37.6 cm s–1  ≈  38 cm s–1
d Speed at x = 6 cm is v = ω [(x0)2 – x2] 0
= 3.14 × [(12)2 – (6)2] = 32.6 cm s–1  ≈  33 cm s–1 0 T T
2 Time
19

a The restoring force = kx (from Hooke’s law), b The total energy of the pendulum would
a ∝ F, therefore a ∝ x. The force acts in the decrease gradually and hence the maximum
opposite direction to the displacement. values of k.e. and p.e. would also decrease.
F
b a = – m = – kx 2
m = –ω x
k 24 Any three from:
ω2 = m
Example Useful or What is resonating?
ω=  mk problem?

2π  m
ω = 1   k
f = 2π Buildings in Problem Mechanical structure is forced
m earthquake to oscillate by energy from
T = 1f = 2π     k waves of earthquake.
20

a Gravitational potential energy Components Problem At certain rates of rotation,
in engines parts of an engine may
b Gravitational potential energy is transferred
resonate mechanically; the
to kinetic energy, which reaches a maximum
resonance is driven by the
when the bob passes through the lowest
energy output of the engine.
point; then k.e. is converted to g.p.e. once
This can lead to components
more.
cracking or disintegrating, with
21
dangerous consequences.
Energy
Positive Problem Microphone is held too close to
feedback in a loudspeaker that is emitting
amplification waves of the same frequency
total systems as the microphone is tuned
energy
(high-pitched to, so the waves from the
potential squealing loudspeaker force the amplifier
energy
sound) to resonate.
kinetic
energy Tuned radio Useful Electric signal in circuit is
forced to oscillate by incoming
x radio waves.
Microwave Useful Water molecules are forced by
22
a 0.35 m s–1
cooker microwaves.
b Maximum kinetic energy = 12  mv2 Magnetic Useful Nuclei in atoms behave as
= 12   × 2.0 × (0.35)2 = 0.12 J resonance in magnets; they can be made to
c Maximum potential energy atoms resonate by electromagnetic
= maximum kinetic energy = 0.12 J waves. Each nucleus resonates
d Maximum acceleration 0.17 m s–2 at a different frequency, so the
e Maximum restoring force = ma structures of molecules can be
= 2.0 × 0.17 = 3.4 N determined.

Cambridge International AS and A Level Physics © Cambridge University Press 2014