Oscillations MCQ Quiz - Objective Question with Answer for Oscillations - Download Free PDF

Last updated on Jul 7, 2025

Latest Oscillations MCQ Objective Questions

Oscillations Question 1:

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A simple pendulum has a time period T1 when it oscillates under normal gravity. Now, the point of suspension starts accelerating downward with a constant acceleration a = 2 m/s2. Let the new time period be T2. Find the ratio T12 / T22. (Take g = 10 m/s2)

  1. 6 / 4
  2. 5 / 4
  3. 1
  4. 4 / 5

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 4 : 4 / 5

Oscillations Question 1 Detailed Solution

Calculation:

In a non-inertial frame accelerating downward, the effective gravity is:

g' = g - a = 10 - 2 = 8 m/s2

Time period of a pendulum: T ∝ 1 / √g

So, T12 / T22 = g' / g = 8 / 10 = 4 / 5

Correct Option: (D)

Oscillations Question 2:

A uniform cylinder of mass M and radius R and length l is attached to two identical massless springs (spring constant k) fixed to a wall. The springs are connected symmetrically to a massless axle passing through the cylinder, each at a distance d from the cylinder's center. The system lies in a horizontal plane. The cylinder is initially at equilibrium with its center at distance L from the wall. It is set rolling without slipping with velocity V0. The coefficient of friction is μ. The net external force on the cylinder when its center is displaced by x from equilibrium is F = -M x. The value of M is:

  1. -k
  2. -2k
  3. -4/3 k
  4. -2/3 k

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 3 : -4/3 k

Oscillations Question 2 Detailed Solution

Calculation:

The forces acting on the cylinder are spring force 2kx, frictional force f, weight Mg, and normal reaction N.

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There is no acceleration in the vertical direction and hence N = Mg. Let a and α be the linear and the angular acceleration as shown in the figure. As cylinder is rolling without slipping, a and α are related by:

(1)     a = αR

Apply Newton’s second law in the horizontal direction to get:

(2)     2kx − f = Ma

The torque τ about the axle passing through the centre of mass is related to α by τ = Iα, where I is the moment of inertia of the cylinder about its axis of rotation. Substitute τ = fR and I = MR2/2 in τ = Iα to get:

(3)     fR = αM R2 / 2

Eliminate a and α from equations (1)(3) to get f = 2kx / 3.

The net external force is given by:

Fext = –2kx + f = –2kx + 2kx / 3 = –4kx / 3

Oscillations Question 3:

A particle executes simple harmonic motion between x = –A and x = +A. If time taken by particle to go from x = 0 to \(\frac{A}{2}\) is 2s; then time taken by particle in going from \(\rm x=\frac{A}{2}\) to A is :

  1. 3 s
  2. 2 s
  3. 1.5 s 
  4. 4 s

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 4 : 4 s

Oscillations Question 3 Detailed Solution

Calculation:

Let the time from 0 to A/2 be t1 and the time from A/2 to A be t2.

From the given motion, the angular displacement for t1 is ωt1 = π/6, and for t2, ωt2 = π/3.

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We can now find the ratio of the times:

t1 / t2 = 1 / 2

Using this ratio:

t2 = 2 × t1 = 2 × 2 = 4 sec

Final Answer: t2 = 4 sec

Oscillations Question 4:

The length of a simple pendulum is increased four times to its previous value while the mass is doubled. What is the ratio of the new and previous time period of the pendulum?

  1. 3:1
  2. 2:5
  3. 2:1
  4. 3:2

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 3 : 2:1

Oscillations Question 4 Detailed Solution

Calculation:

Initial time period, Told = 2π√(L / g)

New time period, Tnew = 2π√(4L / g)

⇒ Tnew = 2π√(4)√(L / g)

⇒ Tnew = 2 × 2π√(L / g)

⇒ Tnew = 2Told

⇒ Tnew : Told = 2 : 1

∴ The ratio of the new and previous time period is 2:1.

Oscillations Question 5:

An audio transmitter (T) and a receiver (R) are hung vertically from two identical massless strings of length 8 m with their pivots well separated along the 𝑋 axis. They are pulled from the equilibrium position in opposite directions along the 𝑋 axis by a small angular amplitude θ0 = cos–1 (0.9) and released simultaneously. If the natural frequency of the transmitter is 660 Hz and the speed of sound in air is 330 m/s, the maximum variation in the frequency (in Hz) as measured by the receiver (Take the acceleration due to gravity 𝑔 = 10 m/s2) is _______

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Answer (Detailed Solution Below) 31.19

Oscillations Question 5 Detailed Solution

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Calculation:

We have, cosθ0 = 9/10

The maximum kinetic energy is 12 m Vmax2 = m g ℓ (1 - cosθ0)

⇒ Vmax = √(2 g ℓ (0.1)) = 4 m/s

⇒ fapp = f ( V + V0V ± V0 )    V0 = VS = 4 m/s    Δf = 32 Hz

Top Oscillations MCQ Objective Questions

If simple harmonic motion is represented by x = A cos(ωt + φ), then 'ω' is _____________.

  1. Displacement
  2. Amplitude
  3. Angular frequency
  4. Phase constant

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 3 : Angular frequency

Oscillations Question 6 Detailed Solution

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CONCEPT:

  • Simple harmonic motion occurs when the restoring force is directly proportional to the displacement from equilibrium.

F α -x

Where F = force and x = the displacement from equilibrium.

The equation of SHM is given by:

x = A sin(ωt + ϕ)

where x is the distance from the mean position at any time t, A is amplitude, t is time, ϕ is initial phase and ω is the angular frequency.

  • The amplitude of SHM (A): maximum displacement from the mean position.
  • frequency (f): no. of oscillations in one second.
  • Time period (T): time taken to complete one oscillation.

The relation between time period (T) and frequency (f) is given by:

\(f=\frac{1}{T}\)

Angular frequency (ω) of SHM is given by:

\(\omega=\frac{2π}{T}\)

where T is the time period.

EXPLANATION:

If the simple harmonic motion is represented by x = A cos(ωt + φ), then 'ω' is the angular frequency.

So the correct answer is option 3.

Time period of simple pendulum inside the satellite orbiting earth is  

  1. Zero
  2. 2T
  3. T
  4. Infinite

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 4 : Infinite

Oscillations Question 7 Detailed Solution

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The correct answer is Infinite.

CONCEPT:

  • Simple pendulum: A point mass attached to a light inextensible string and suspended from fixed support is called a simple pendulum.
    • The vertical line passing through the fixed support is the mean position of a simple pendulum.

The vertical distance between the point of suspension and the center of mass of the suspended body is called the length of the simple pendulum denoted by L.

The time period of the pendulum:

\(T = 2\pi\sqrt{L/g}\)

where, L = length of string, g = acceleration due to gravity (m/s2)

EXPLANATION:

  • As we know that \(T \alpha \frac{1}{g}\)
  • On an artificial satellite, orbiting the earth, net gravity is zero.

As g = 0, so T = ∞ 

The correct option is ∞ .

Additional Information

The value of g is zero in orbiting satellite:

  • Natural satellites have their own acceleration due to gravity. Artificial satellites don't possess any natural g.
    • Artificial satellites experience a gravitational pull towards earth due to the earth's gravitational force.
    • But as the velocity of artificial satellites is extremely large, so, they have a centrifugal force acting tangentially to the orbit.
    • As the gravitational pull of the earth on the artificial satellite is equal to the centrifugal force acting on the artificial satellite, the net force cancels.

The length of a simple pendulum is increased then the time period will-

  1. Decrease
  2. increase
  3. remain same
  4. Can't predict

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 2 : increase

Oscillations Question 8 Detailed Solution

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CONCEPT:

Simple Pendulum:

  • An ideal simple pendulum consists of a heavy point mass body (bob) suspended by a weightlessinextensible, and perfectly flexible string from rigid support about which it is free to oscillate.
  • For a simple pendulum, the time period of swing of a pendulum depends on the length of the string and acceleration due to gravity.

\(\Rightarrow T = 2\;{\rm{\Pi }}\sqrt {\frac{{\rm{l}}}{{\rm{g}}}} \)

The above formula is only valid for small angular displacements.

Where, T = Time period of oscillation, l = length of the pendulum, and g = gravitational acceleration 

F2 J.K Madhu 03.04.20 D1

  • The force which acts to bring a body to its mean position/equilibrium position is called a restoring force. 
  • Example: The spring force is a restoring force because it always applies a force towards the equilibrium point.


EXPLANATION:

  • For a simple pendulum, the time period of swing of a pendulum depends on the length of the string and acceleration due to gravity.

\(\Rightarrow T = 2\;{\rm{\Pi }}\sqrt {\frac{{\rm{l}}}{{\rm{g}}}}\)

  • From the above equation, it is clear that the period of oscillation is directly proportional to the length of the arm and inversely proportional to acceleration due to gravity.
  • Thus, an increase in the length of a pendulum arm results in a subsequent increase in the period of oscillation given a constant gravitational acceleration. Thus option 2 is correct.

The body is said to move with Simple Harmonic Motion if its acceleration is ______.

  1. Always directed away from the centre, at the point of reference
  2. Proportional to square of the distance from the point of reference
  3. Proportional to the distance from the point of reference and directed towards it
  4. None of these

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 3 : Proportional to the distance from the point of reference and directed towards it

Oscillations Question 9 Detailed Solution

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CONCEPT:

  • Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM)Simple harmonic motion is a special type of periodic motion or oscillation where the restoring force is directly proportional to the displacement and acts in the direction opposite to that of displacement.
    • Example: Motion of an undamped pendulum, undamped spring-mass system.

Force (F) = - k x

Acceleration (a) = - (k/m) x

Where a is acceleration, x is the displacement of the system from its equilibrium position, m is the mass of the system and k is a constant associated with the system.

EXPLANATION:

  • In simple harmonic motion, the acceleration is proportional to the distance from the point of reference and directed towards it. So option 3 is correct.

The acceleration of a particle performing simple harmonic motion is ____________ whose displacement is f(t) = A cos(ωt + φ).

  1. –ω2A cos(ωt + φ)
  2. –ωA cos(ωt + φ)
  3. –ω2A sin(ωt + φ)
  4. –ωA sin(ωt + φ)

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 1 : –ω2A cos(ωt + φ)

Oscillations Question 10 Detailed Solution

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CONCEPT:

Simple harmonic motion occurs when the restoring force is directly proportional to the displacement from equilibrium.

F α -x

Where F = force and x = the displacement from equilibrium.

The equation of displacement in SHM is given by:

x = A Cos(ωt+ϕ) .........(i)

where x is the distance from the mean position at any time t, A is amplitude, t is time, and ω is the angular frequency.

The equation of velocity in SHM is given by differentiating equation (i)

v = dx/dt = d (A Cos(ωt+ϕ)) / dt

v = - Aω Sin(ωt+ϕ)

where v is the velocity at any time t, A is amplitude, t is time, and ω is angular frequency.

In the same way, the equation of displacement can be obtained from the equation of velocity by integrating the equation of velocity.

CALCULATION:

v = - Aω Sin(ωt+ϕ)

The acceleration is given by:

a = dv/dt = d (- Aω Sin(ωt+ϕ))/dt = –ω2A cos(ωt + φ).

So option 1 is correct.

A child swinging on a swing in sitting position, stands up. Then the time period of swing will:

  1. decrease
  2. remain same
  3. increase
  4. None of these

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 1 : decrease

Oscillations Question 11 Detailed Solution

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Concept:

Simple Pendulum

  • An ideal simple pendulum consists of a heavy point mass body (bob) suspended by a weightless, inextensible, and perfectly flexible string from rigid support about which it is free to oscillate.
  • For a simple pendulum, the time period of swing of a pendulum depends on the length of the string and acceleration due to gravity,

\(\Rightarrow T=2\pi\sqrt{\frac{l}{g}}\,\)

  • The above formula is only valid for small angular displacements.

Where, T = Time period of oscillation, l = Effective length of the pendulum, and g = gravitational acceleration

Explanation:

  • The swinging girl can be considered as a simple pendulum.

The time period of oscillation of the simple pendulum is,

\(\Rightarrow T=2\pi\sqrt{\frac{l}{g}}\,\)

where l is the effective length of the simple pendulum.

  • The length of the simple pendulum is equal to the distance from point of suspension to the centre of gravity (CG) of the oscillating body.
  • When the girl stands up, the distance of CG from the point of suspension decreases.
  • Therefore, the time period of oscillation also decreases

F1 Utkarsh Madhuri 12.10.2021 D1

Equation of motion of a particle is given by a = -bx, where a is the acceleration, x is the displacement from the mean position and b any constant. The time period of the particle is

  1. \(2\sqrt{\dfrac{\pi}{b}}\)
  2. \(\dfrac{2\pi}{b}\)
  3. \(\dfrac{2\pi}{\sqrt{b}}\)
  4. \(2\pi\sqrt{b}\)

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 3 : \(\dfrac{2\pi}{\sqrt{b}}\)

Oscillations Question 12 Detailed Solution

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CONCEPT:

  • Simple harmonic motion occurs when the restoring force is directly proportional to the displacement from equilibrium.

F α -x

Where F = force and x = the displacement from equilibrium.

  • For a simple harmonic motion equation of acceleration

a = -ω2x

where a is the acceleration ω is the angular frequency and x is the displacement.

  • Time period (T): time taken to complete one oscillation.

The relation between time period (T) and frequency (f) is given by:

\(f=\frac{1}{T}\)

  • Angular frequency (ω) of SHM is given by:

\(\omega=\frac{2π}{T}\)

where T is the time period.

CALCULATION:

Given that Equation of motion is a = -bx, where a is the acceleration, x is the displacement from the mean position, and b any constant.

Compare it with the equation of acceleration a = -ω2x

ω2 = b

ω = √b

\(T=\frac{2π}{\omega}\)

\(T=\dfrac{2\pi}{\sqrt{b}}\)

So the correct answer is option 3.

The velocity of a particle, executing S.H.M, is ________ at its mean position. 

  1. maximum
  2. minimum
  3. infinity
  4. zero

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 1 : maximum

Oscillations Question 13 Detailed Solution

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Concept

Simple Harmonic Motion or SHM is a specific type of oscillation in which the restoring force is directly proportional to the displacement of the particle from the mean position.

  • Velocity of SHM, \(v = ω \sqrt{A^2- x^2}\)
  • Where, x = displacement of the particle from the mean position,
  • A = maximum displacement of the particle from the mean position.
  • ω = Angular frequency

F1 Madhuri Defence 17.10.2022 D1

Calculation:

Velocity of SHM, \(v = ω \sqrt{A^2- x^2}\) --- (1)

At its mean position x = 0

Putting the value in equation 1,

⇒ \(v = ω \sqrt{A^2- 0^2}\)

⇒ v = ωA, which is maximum.

So, velocity is maximum at mean position.

At extreme position, x = ± A, v = 0

So, velocity is minimum or zero at extreme position.

Additional Information 

  • Acceleration, a = ω2x
  • Acceleration is maximum at the extreme position, x = ± A
  • Acceleration is minimum or zero at the mean position, a = 0

If simple harmonic motion is represented by x = A cos(ωt + φ), then 'φ' is _____________.

  1. Angular frequency
  2. Displacement
  3. Amplitude
  4. Phase constant

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 4 : Phase constant

Oscillations Question 14 Detailed Solution

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CONCEPT:

  • Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM)Simple harmonic motion is a special type of periodic motion or oscillation where the restoring force is directly proportional to the displacement and acts in the direction opposite to that of displacement.

Force (F) = - k x

Where k = restoring force, x = distance from the equilibrium position, F = force it experiences towards mean position

  • Example: Motion of an undamped pendulum, undamped spring-mass system.

​EXPLANATION:

  • Simple harmonic motion is represented by

⇒ x = A cos(ωt + φ)

Where A = amplitude, ω = Angular frequency, x = Displacement and φ = Phase constant

F1 A.K Madhu 26.06.20 D6

Value of ‘g’ at the surface of moon is one sixth of that at the earth surface then the time period of a pendulum at moon is how much times to that at earth :

  1. \(\dfrac{1}{6}\) times
  2. 6 times
  3. √6 times 
  4. \(\dfrac{1}{\sqrt{6}}\) times

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 3 : √6 times 

Oscillations Question 15 Detailed Solution

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CONCEPT:

  • Simple pendulum: When a point mass is suspended with the help of a string or rod of negligible mass and does the to and fro motion about its mean position is called as a simple pendulum.
  • For a simple pendulum, the time period of swing of a pendulum depends on the length of the string and acceleration due to gravity.

\(T = 2{\rm{\Pi }}\sqrt{ {\frac{{\rm{l}}}{{\rm{g}}}}}\)

The above formula is only valid for small angular displacements.

Where, T = Time period of oscillation, l = length of the pendulum, and g = gravitational acceleration

CALCULATION:

Given that:

Acceleration due to gravity on the moon (g') = acceleration due to gravity on earth (g)/6

\(T = 2{\rm{\Pi }}\sqrt{{\frac{{\rm{l}}}{{\rm{g}}}}}\) : The time period on earth.

The time period on the moon (T') is given by:

\(T' = 2{\rm{\Pi }}\sqrt{\frac{{\rm{l}}}{{\rm{g'}}}} =2{\rm{\Pi }}\sqrt{\frac{{\rm{l}}}{{\rm{g/6}}}}\)

\(T' = 2{\rm{\Pi }}\sqrt{\frac{{\rm{6l}}}{{\rm{g}}}}\)

T' = √6 T

So option 3 is correct

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