Oscillations
Rajasthan Board · Class 11 · Physics
NCERT Solutions for Oscillations — Rajasthan Board Class 11 Physics.
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Exercises
13.1Which of the following examples represent periodic motion?
(a) A swimmer completing one (return) trip from one bank of a river to the other and back.
(b) A freely suspended bar magnet displaced from its N-S direction and released.
(c) A hydrogen molecule rotating about its centre of mass.
(d) An arrow released from a bow.Show solution
(a) Swimmer going from one bank to the other and back:
The swimmer's trip is a to-and-fro motion, but the time taken for each trip need not be the same (depends on the swimmer's effort, current, etc.). This motion does not repeat at regular time intervals. Hence it is not periodic.
(b) Freely suspended bar magnet displaced from N-S direction and released:
The magnet experiences a restoring torque due to Earth's magnetic field and oscillates about the N-S direction. It repeats its motion at regular intervals. Hence it is periodic (and approximately SHM for small displacements).
(c) Hydrogen molecule rotating about its centre of mass:
The rotation repeats itself after every complete revolution at regular time intervals. Hence it is periodic.
(d) Arrow released from a bow:
After release, the arrow moves in a parabolic trajectory under gravity and does not repeat its motion. Hence it is not periodic.
13.2Which of the following examples represent (nearly) simple harmonic motion and which represent periodic but not simple harmonic motion?
(a) the rotation of earth about its axis.
(b) motion of an oscillating mercury column in a U-tube.
(c) motion of a ball bearing inside a smooth curved bowl, when released from a point slightly above the lower most point.
(d) general vibrations of a polyatomic molecule about its equilibrium position.Show solution
(a) Rotation of earth about its axis:
This is a uniform circular motion (periodic) but the restoring force condition is not satisfied. It is periodic but not SHM.
(b) Oscillating mercury column in a U-tube:
When mercury is displaced, the restoring force is proportional to the displacement of the mercury column. This satisfies . Hence it is (nearly) SHM.
(c) Ball bearing inside a smooth curved bowl (released slightly above lowest point):
For small displacements from the lowest point, the restoring force is proportional to displacement (similar to a simple pendulum). Hence it is (nearly) SHM.
(d) General vibrations of a polyatomic molecule:
A polyatomic molecule has many degrees of freedom and its vibrations are a superposition of many modes. The restoring force is not simply proportional to a single displacement. Hence it is periodic but not SHM (it is a superposition of multiple SHMs).
13.3Fig. 13.18 depicts four x-t plots for linear motion of a particle. Which of the plots represent periodic motion? What is the period of motion (in case of periodic motion)?Show solution
(a) Plot (a): The graph shows a sinusoidal (or repeating) pattern. This represents periodic motion. The motion repeats every 2 s, so .
(b) Plot (b): The graph shows a non-repeating pattern (the displacement keeps increasing or is irregular). This is not periodic.
(c) Plot (c): The graph shows a repeating pattern. This represents periodic motion with period .
(d) Plot (d): The graph shows a repeating pattern. This represents periodic motion with period .
Summary:
- Plot (a): Periodic,
- Plot (b): Not periodic
- Plot (c): Periodic,
- Plot (d): Periodic,
13.4Which of the following functions of time represent (a) simple harmonic, (b) periodic but not simple harmonic, and (c) non-periodic motion? Give period for each case of periodic motion (ω is any positive constant):
(a) sin ωt − cos ωt
(b) sin³ ωt
(c) 3cos(π/4 − 2ωt)
(d) cos ωt + cos 3ωt + cos 5ωt
(e) exp(−ω²t²)
(f) 1 + ωt + ω²t²Show solution
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(a)
Write in standard form:
This is of the form , so it represents SHM.
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(b)
Using the identity:
This is a superposition of two sinusoids with frequencies and . It is periodic but not SHM.
The period is the LCM of and , which is .
---
(c)
Using :
This is of the form with . It represents SHM.
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(d)
This is a superposition of three sinusoids with frequencies , , and . Each is periodic. The overall period is the LCM of , , , which is .
It is periodic but not SHM.
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(e)
This is a Gaussian function. As , the function . It never repeats. It is non-periodic (no period).
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(f)
This is a polynomial in . As increases, the function increases without bound and never repeats. It is non-periodic (no period).
13.5A particle is in linear simple harmonic motion between two points, A and B, 10 cm apart. Take the direction from A to B as the positive direction and give the signs of velocity, acceleration and force on the particle when it is
(a) at the end A,
(b) at the end B,
(c) at the mid-point of AB going towards A,
(d) at 2 cm away from B going towards A,
(e) at 3 cm away from A going towards B, and
(f) at 4 cm away from B going towards A.Show solution
- A is at (left extreme)
- O is at (mean position)
- B is at (right extreme)
Key rules for SHM:
- At extreme positions (A or B): velocity = 0
- Acceleration and force are always directed towards the mean position O (i.e., )
- Velocity is positive when moving from A to B (positive direction), negative when moving from B to A
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(a) At end A ():
- Velocity: zero (extreme position),
- Acceleration: directed from A towards O, i.e., in positive direction → positive
- Force: same direction as acceleration → positive
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(b) At end B ():
- Velocity: zero (extreme position),
- Acceleration: directed from B towards O, i.e., in negative direction → negative
- Force: same direction as acceleration → negative
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(c) At mid-point O going towards A:
- Position: (mean position)
- Moving towards A means moving in negative direction → velocity is negative
- At mean position, → acceleration is zero
- Force = 0
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(d) At 2 cm away from B going towards A:
- B is at ; 2 cm away from B towards A means
- Moving towards A → velocity is negative
- → acceleration is negative (towards O, i.e., towards A)
- Force is negative
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(e) At 3 cm away from A going towards B:
- A is at ; 3 cm away from A towards B means
- Moving towards B → velocity is positive
- → acceleration is positive (towards O, i.e., towards B)
- Force is positive
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(f) At 4 cm away from B going towards A:
- B is at ; 4 cm away from B towards A means
- Moving towards A → velocity is negative
- → acceleration is negative (towards O)
- Force is negative
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Summary Table:
| Case | Position | Velocity | Acceleration | Force |
|------|----------|----------|--------------|-------|
| (a) | A | Zero | + | + |
| (b) | B | Zero | − | − |
| (c) | Mid-point (→A) | − | Zero | Zero |
| (d) | 3 cm from O (→A) | − | − | − |
| (e) | 2 cm from O (→B) | + | + | + |
| (f) | 1 cm from O (→A) | − | − | − |
13.6Which of the following relationships between the acceleration a and the displacement x of a particle involve simple harmonic motion?
(a) a = 0.7x
(b) a = −200x²
(c) a = −10x
(d) a = 100x³Show solution
(a) :
Here (same sign), so the acceleration is in the same direction as displacement. This does not represent SHM.
(b) :
Here , not . The acceleration is not linearly proportional to displacement. This does not represent SHM.
(c) :
Here (opposite sign, linear). This satisfies the condition for SHM with , i.e., . This represents SHM.
(d) :
Here , not . This does not represent SHM.
Answer: Only (c) represents SHM.
13.7The motion of a particle executing simple harmonic motion is described by the displacement function, x(t) = A cos(ωt + φ). If the initial (t = 0) position of the particle is 1 cm and its initial velocity is ω cm/s, what are its amplitude and initial phase angle? The angular frequency of the particle is π s⁻¹. If instead of the cosine function, we choose the sine function to describe the SHM: x = B sin(ωt + α), what are the amplitude and initial phase of the particle with the above initial conditions.Show solution
-
- At : ,
-
Step 1: Apply initial conditions to cosine form.
At :
Velocity:
At :
Step 2: Find amplitude A.
Squaring and adding (1) and (2):
Step 3: Find phase angle φ.
Dividing (2) by (1):
From (1): \cos\phi = \dfrac{1}{A} = \dfrac{1}{\sqrt{2}} > 0
From (2): \sin\phi = -\dfrac{1}{A} = -\dfrac{1}{\sqrt{2}} < 0
So is in the fourth quadrant:
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Sine function form:
At :
Velocity:
At :
Amplitude B:
Phase α:
From (3) and (4): both \sin\alpha > 0 and \cos\alpha > 0, so is in the first quadrant:
Conclusion: In both cases, the amplitude is . The initial phase is for the cosine form and for the sine form.
13.8A spring balance has a scale that reads from 0 to 50 kg. The length of the scale is 20 cm. A body suspended from this balance, when displaced and released, oscillates with a period of 0.6 s. What is the weight of the body?Show solution
- Maximum load on scale:
- Length of scale (maximum extension):
- Period of oscillation:
-
Step 1: Find the spring constant k.
At maximum load, the spring extends by :
Step 2: Find the mass m of the body using the period formula.
Step 3: Find the weight.
The weight of the body is approximately 219 N (mass ≈ 22.4 kg).
13.9A spring having with a spring constant 1200 N m⁻¹ is mounted on a horizontal table. A mass of 3 kg is attached to the free end of the spring. The mass is then pulled sideways to a distance of 2.0 cm and released. Determine (i) the frequency of oscillations, (ii) maximum acceleration of the mass, and (iii) the maximum speed of the mass.Show solution
- Spring constant:
- Mass:
- Amplitude:
Step 1: Angular frequency.
(i) Frequency of oscillations:
(ii) Maximum acceleration:
Maximum acceleration occurs at the extreme position ():
(iii) Maximum speed:
Maximum speed occurs at the mean position:
13.10In Exercise 13.9, let us take the position of mass when the spring is unstretched as x = 0, and the direction from left to right as the positive direction of x-axis. Give x as a function of time t for the oscillating mass if at the moment we start the stopwatch (t = 0), the mass is
(a) at the mean position,
(b) at the maximum stretched position, and
(c) at the maximum compressed position.
In what way do these functions for SHM differ from each other, in frequency, in amplitude or the initial phase?Show solution
General equation:
---
(a) At , mass is at mean position () and moving in positive direction:
At :
Velocity at : v = -A\omega\sin\phi > 0 (moving in positive direction)
\Rightarrow \sin\phi < 0 \Rightarrow \phi = -\pi/2
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(b) At , mass is at maximum stretched position ():
At :
---
(c) At , mass is at maximum compressed position ():
At :
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Comparison:
All three functions have the same frequency (, ) and the same amplitude (). They differ only in the initial phase :
- Case (a):
- Case (b):
- Case (c):
13.11Figures 13.20 correspond to two circular motions. The radius of the circle, the period of revolution, the initial position, and the sense of revolution (i.e. clockwise or anti-clockwise) are indicated on each figure. Obtain the corresponding simple harmonic motions of the x-projection of the radius vector of the revolving particle P, in each case.Show solution
Note: The exact figures are not visible, but based on the standard NCERT problem, the two cases are:
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(a) Figure (a): Radius = 3 cm, Period , initial position at (i.e., at the leftmost point, angle = from positive x-axis), anticlockwise rotation.
Initial angle (particle starts at )
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(b) Figure (b): Radius = 2 cm, Period , initial position at , (i.e., at the top, angle = from positive x-axis), clockwise rotation.
For clockwise rotation, the angle decreases with time:
Initial angle ; for clockwise sense, :
13.12Plot the corresponding reference circle for each of the following simple harmonic motions. Indicate the initial (t = 0) position of the particle, the radius of the circle, and the angular speed of the rotating particle. For simplicity, the sense of rotation may be fixed to be anticlockwise in every case (x is in cm and t is in s).
(a) x = −2 sin(3t + π/3)
(b) x = cos(π/6 − t)
(c) x = 3 sin(2πt + π/4)
(d) x = 2 cos πtShow solution
- Radius = (amplitude)
- Angular speed =
- Initial position of particle P on circle at angle from positive x-axis (anticlockwise)
First, convert each expression to the cosine form .
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(a)
Using :
- Radius (Amplitude):
- Angular speed:
- Initial phase: (150° from positive x-axis, anticlockwise)
- Initial position of P: at angle from positive x-axis on the circle of radius 2 cm.
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(b)
Using :
- Radius (Amplitude):
- Angular speed:
- Initial phase: (i.e., or equivalently from positive x-axis)
- Initial position of P: at angle (or ) from positive x-axis on circle of radius 1 cm.
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(c)
Using :
- Radius (Amplitude):
- Angular speed:
- Initial phase: (i.e., or from positive x-axis)
- Initial position of P: at angle from positive x-axis on circle of radius 3 cm.
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(d)
Already in standard cosine form with .
- Radius (Amplitude):
- Angular speed:
- Initial phase: (particle starts at positive x-axis)
- Initial position of P: at on the circle of radius 2 cm.
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Summary Table:
| Part | Amplitude (cm) | (rad/s) | Initial phase |
|------|---------------|-----------------|----------------------|
| (a) | 2 | 3 | (150°) |
| (b) | 1 | 1 | (−30°) |
| (c) | 3 | | (−45°) |
| (d) | 2 | | 0° |
13.13Figure 13.21(a) shows a spring of force constant k clamped rigidly at one end and a mass m attached to its free end. A force F applied at the free end stretches the spring. Figure 13.21(b) shows the same spring with both ends free and attached to a mass m at either end. Each end of the spring in Fig. 13.21(b) is stretched by the same force F.
(a) What is the maximum extension of the spring in the two cases?
(b) If the mass in Fig. (a) and the two masses in Fig. (b) are released, what is the period of oscillation in each case?Show solution
Case (a) — One end fixed, one mass:
The force stretches the spring. At maximum extension, the spring force equals the applied force:
Case (b) — Both ends free, mass at each end:
Each end is pulled by force . The spring is stretched by force at each end. The extension of the spring is determined by the force acting across it:
The maximum extension is the same in both cases: .
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(b) Period of oscillation after release:
Case (a) — Mass m on spring of constant k:
Case (b) — Two masses m on same spring:
By symmetry, the centre of the spring does not move (it acts as a fixed point). Each half of the spring has length and spring constant (since spring constant is inversely proportional to length for a uniform spring). Each mass oscillates against a spring of effective constant .
Alternatively, using the concept of reduced mass: for two equal masses connected by a spring of constant , the reduced mass is:
Note: , so the period in case (b) is smaller than in case (a).
13.14The piston in the cylinder head of a locomotive has a stroke (twice the amplitude) of 1.0 m. If the piston moves with simple harmonic motion with an angular frequency of 200 rad/min, what is its maximum speed?Show solution
- Stroke = Amplitude
- Angular frequency:
Formula for maximum speed in SHM:
Calculation:
13.15The acceleration due to gravity on the surface of moon is 1.7 m s⁻². What is the time period of a simple pendulum on the surface of moon if its time period on the surface of earth is 3.5 s? (g on the surface of earth is 9.8 m s⁻²)Show solution
-
-
-
Formula:
For the same pendulum (same length ):
13.16A simple pendulum of length l and having a bob of mass M is suspended in a car. The car is moving on a circular track of radius R with a uniform speed v. If the pendulum makes small oscillations in a radial direction about its equilibrium position, what will be its time period?Show solution
Effective acceleration:
The centripetal acceleration is:
The gravitational acceleration is:
These two accelerations are perpendicular to each other. The effective gravitational acceleration is:
Time period of the pendulum:
13.17A cylindrical piece of cork of density of base area A and height h floats in a liquid of density ρ₁. The cork is depressed slightly and then released. Show that the cork oscillates up and down simple harmonically with a period T = 2π√(hρ/ρ₁g), where ρ is the density of cork. (Ignore damping due to viscosity of the liquid).Show solution
Let the cork be in equilibrium, floating in the liquid. Let be the density of cork and be the density of the liquid.
Equilibrium condition:
At equilibrium, the weight of the cork equals the buoyant force:
where is the equilibrium depth of immersion.
When displaced by a small distance downward:
The new depth of immersion =
Buoyant force =
Weight of cork = (constant)
Net restoring force (upward positive):
Using equilibrium condition :
(The negative sign indicates the force is opposite to displacement , i.e., restoring.)
Equation of motion:
Mass of cork
This is of the form , confirming SHM with:
Period:
Hence proved.
13.18One end of a U-tube containing mercury is connected to a suction pump and the other end to atmosphere. A small pressure difference is maintained between the two columns. Show that, when the suction pump is removed, the column of mercury in the U-tube executes simple harmonic motion.Show solution
Let the U-tube have uniform cross-sectional area . Let the total length of mercury in the U-tube be . When the suction pump is removed, let the mercury be displaced by a small distance from its equilibrium position.
Restoring force analysis:
When mercury in one arm is displaced by downward (and rises by in the other arm), the difference in height of mercury columns between the two arms is .
The restoring force due to this height difference is the weight of the extra mercury column of height :
where is the density of mercury.
The negative sign indicates the force is directed opposite to the displacement (restoring).
Equation of motion:
Total mass of mercury:
This is of the form with:
Since the acceleration is proportional to displacement and directed opposite to it, the mercury column executes simple harmonic motion.
Period of oscillation:
Hence, when the suction pump is removed, the mercury column in the U-tube executes SHM.
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