Physics 9702 · AS & A Level · Energy in simple harmonic motion
Energy in simple harmonic motion — practice question
As illustrated in Fig. 4.1, a small metal ball hangs from a fixed point on a string. It is displaced slightly sideways and then released. Fig. 4.2 shows how the ball’s horizontal displacement x changes with time t. The ball moves with simple harmonic motion.
(a)[3]
From the information in Fig. 4.2, find the ball’s horizontal acceleration when the displacement x is 2.0\ \text{cm}.
(b)[3]
The maximum kinetic energy of the ball is $E_K$. On the axes of Fig. 4.3, sketch a graph to show how the kinetic energy of the ball varies with time $t$ during the first $1.0\ \text{s}$ of its motion.
Worked solution & mark scheme
This 6-mark question has a full step-by-step worked solution and mark scheme. One marking point: “$a=-\omega^2x$ and $\omega=2\pi/T$” …