Physics 9702 · AS & A Level · Damped and forced oscillations, resonance

Damped and forced oscillations, resonance — practice question

(a)[2]

State the meaning of resonance.

(b)

A small ball is supported by a stretched string. One end of the string is fixed to a wall, while the other end is attached to a vibration generator, as shown in Fig. 4.1. At the start, the vibration generator is switched off. A student moves the ball vertically and then lets it go. Fig. 4.2 shows how the displacement of the ball varies with time after release.

(b(i))[1]

State the name of the phenomenon shown by the reduction in the amplitude of the oscillations in Fig. 4.2.

(b(ii))[2]

Explain the decrease with time of the amplitude of the ball’s oscillations.

(b(iii))[1]

Determine the frequency of the ball’s oscillations.

(c)[2]

The vibration generator in (b) is switched on and its frequency $f$ of vibration is gradually increased from $0$ to $10\,\text{Hz}$. On Fig. 4.3, sketch how the amplitude of the oscillations of the ball changes with $f$.

Worked solution & mark scheme

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