Physics Practice Test – Simple Harmonic Motion (Questions with Answers and Explanations)

The period of a simple pendulum of length 80.0 cm was found to have doubled when the length of pendulum was increased by X. Calculate X. (WASSCE 2009)

A. 26.7 cm   B. 40.0 cm   C. 160.0 cm   D. 240.0 cm

A swinging pendulum between the rest position and its maximum displacement possesses ______

A. kinetic energy only
B. potential energy only
C. gravitational energy only
D. both kinetic and potential energy

Two simple pendula A and B of equal length and of masses 5 g and 20 g respectively are located in the same environment. The period T_A and T_B of their respective oscillations are related by the equations ______ (WASSCE 2011)

A. T_A = 4T_B      B. T_A = ¼ T_B      C. T_A = T_B      D. T_A = 5T_B

The length of a simple pendulum is increased by a factor of four. By what factor is its period increased? (WASSCE 2022)

A. 0.5 π    B. 2   C. 2 π    D. 4

Which of the following statements about an object performing simple harmonic motion is correct? Its acceleration _______ (WASSCE 2005)

A. is maximum at the extreme ends
B. is constant and directed towards a fixed point
C. is zero when it is displaced from the equilibrium position.
D. varies linearly with the displacement from a fixed point and is directed towards the fixed point.