NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Physics Chapter 14 Oscillations

Q. 14.1 Which of the following examples represent periodic motion?

(a) A swimmer completing one (return) trip from one bank of a river to the other and bank.

(b) A freely suspended bar magnet displaced from its N-S direction and released.

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(c) A hydrogen molecule rotating about its centre of mass.

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(d) An arrow released from a bow

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Answer:

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(a) The motion is not periodic though it is to and fro.
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(b) The motion is periodic.

(c) The motion is periodic.

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(d) The motion is not periodic.

Q. 14.2 Which of the following examples represent (nearly) simple harmonic motion and which
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represent periodic but not simple harmonic motion?

(a) the rotation of earth about its axis.

Aa

(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.

Answer:

(a) Periodic but not S.H.M.

(b) S.H.M.

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(c) S.H.M.

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(d) Periodic but not S.H.M.M [A polyatomic molecule has a number of natural frequencies, so its

vibration is a superposition of SHM’s of a number of different frequencies. This is periodic but

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not SHM]

Q .14.3 Fig. 14.23 depicts four x-t plots for linear motion of a particle. Which of the plots

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represent periodic motion? What is the period of motion (in case of periodic motion)?
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Answer:
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The x-t plots for linear motion of a particle in Fig. 14.23 (b) and (d) represent periodic motion
with both having a period of motion of two seconds.

Q. 14.4 (a) Which of the following functions of time represent

Aa

(a) simple harmonic, (b) periodic but not simple harmonic, and (c) non-periodic motion? Give
period for each case of periodic motion ( is any positive constant):

(a)

Answer:
Since the above function is of form it represents SHM with a time period of

Q. 14.4 (b) Which 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

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motion ( is any positive constant):

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(b)

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Answer:

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The two functions individually represent SHM but their superposition does not give rise to SHM

but the motion will definitely be periodic with a period of

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Q. 14.4 (c) Which 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 ( is any positive constant):
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(c)

Answer:
Aa

The function represents SHM with a period of

Q. 14.4 (c)Which 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 ( is any positive constant): (c)

Q.14.4 (d) Which 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):

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(d)

Answer:

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Here each individual functions are SHM. But superposition is not SHM. The function represents
periodic motion but not SHM.

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Q. 14.4 (e) Which of the following functions of time represent (a) simple harmonic, (b) periodic
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but not simple harmonic, and (c) non-periodic motion? Give period for each case of periodic
motion (ω is any positive constant):

(e)
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Answer:
Aa

The given function is exponential and therefore does not represent periodic motion.

Q. 14.4 (f) Which 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):

(f)
Answer:

The given function does not represent periodic motion.

Q. 14.5 (a) A particle is in linear simple harmonic motion between two points, A and

B, apart. Take the direction from A to B as the positive direction and give the signs of

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velocity, acceleration and force on the particle when it is

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(a) at the end A,

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Answer:

Velocity is zero. Force and acceleration are in the positive direction.

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Q. 14.5 (b) A particle is in linear simple harmonic motion between two
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points, and , apart. Take the direction from A to as the positive direction and give
the signs of velocity, acceleration and force on the particle when it is
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(b) at the end ,

Answer:
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Velocity is zero. Acceleration and force are negative.

Q. 14.5 (c) A particle is in linear simple harmonic motion between two

Aa

points, and , apart. Take the direction from to as the positive direction and give
the signs of velocity, acceleration and force on the particle when it is

(c) at the mid-point of AB going towards ,

Answer:
Velocity is negative that is towards A and its magnitude is maximum. Acceleration and force are
zero.

Q. 14.5 (d) A particle is in linear simple harmonic motion between two

points, and , apart. Take the direction from to as the positive direction and give
the signs of velocity, acceleration and force on the particle when it is

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(d) at away from going towards ,

Answer:

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Velocity is negative. Acceleration and force are also negative.

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Q.14.5 (e) A particle is in linear simple harmonic motion between two
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points, and , apart. Take the direction from to as the positive direction and give
the signs of velocity, acceleration and force on the particle when it is

(e) at away from going towards , and

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Answer:
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Velocity is positive. Acceleration and force are also positive.

Q. 14.5 (f) A particle is in linear simple harmonic motion between two

Aa

points, and , apart. Take the direction from to as the positive direction and give
the signs of velocity, acceleration and force on the particle when it is

(f) at away from going towards

Answer:

Velocity, acceleration and force all are negative

Q. 14.6 Which of the following relationships between the acceleration a and the
displacement of a particle involve simple harmonic motion?

(a)

(b)

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(c)

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(d)

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Answer:

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Only the relation given in (c) represents simple harmonic motion as the acceleration is

proportional in magnitude to the displacement from the midpoint and its direction is opposite to
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that of the displacement from the mean position.

Q. 14.7 The motion of a particle executing simple harmonic motion is described by the
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displacement function,

If the initial position of the particle is and its initial velocity is what are
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its amplitude and initial phase angle ? The angular frequency of the particle is If instead of
the cosine function, we choose the sine function to describe the SHM

: what are the amplitude and initial phase of the particle with the above
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initial conditions.

Answer:
at t = 0

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at t = 0

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Squaring and adding equation (i) and (ii) we get

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Dividing equation (ii) by (i) we get
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at t = 0
Aa

at t = 0
Squaring and adding equation (iii) and (iv) we get

Dividing equation (iii) by (iv) we get

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Q. 14.8 A spring balance has a scale that reads from to The length of the scale
is A body suspended from this balance, when displaced and released, oscillates with a

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period of What is the weight of the body?

Answer:

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Spring constant of the spring is given by
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The time period of a spring attached to a body of mass m is given by

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Q. 14.9 (i) A spring having with a spring constant is mounted on a horizontal table

as shown in Fig. 14.24. A mass of is attached to the free end of the spring. The mass is then
Aa

pulled sideways to a distance of and released.

Determine

(i) the frequency of oscillations,

Answer:

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The frequency of oscillation of an object of mass m attached to a spring of spring constant k is
given by

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Q. 14.9 (ii) A spring having with a spring constant is mounted on a horizontal

table as shown in Fig. 14.24. A mass of is attached to the free end of the spring. The mass is
then pulled sideways to a distance of

s and released.
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Determine
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(ii) maximum acceleration of the mass, and

Aa

Answer:

A body executing S.H.M experiences maximum acceleration at the extreme points

 (F A = Force experienced by body at displacement A from mean position)

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Q. 14.9 (iii) A spring having with a spring constant is mounted on a horizontal

table as shown in Fig. 14.24. A mass of is attached to the free end of the spring. The mass is

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then pulled sideways to a distance of and released.

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Determine
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(iii) the maximum speed of the mass.

Answer:
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Maximum speed occurs at the mean position and is given by

Aa

Q. 14.10 (a) In Exercise 14.9, let us take the position of mass when the spring is unstreched

as 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 the
mass is
(a) at the mean position,

In what way do these functions for SHM differ from each other, in frequency, in amplitude or the
initial phase?

Answer:

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Amplitude is A = 0.02 m

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Time period is

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(a) At t = 0 the mass is at mean position i.e. at t = 0, x = 0
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Here x is in metres and t is in seconds.

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Q. 14.10 (b) In Exercise 14.9, let us take the position of mass when the spring is unstreched

as 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 the
Aa

mass is

(b) at the maximum stretched position,

In what way do these functions for SHM differ from each other, in frequency, in amplitude or the
initial phase?
Answer:

Amplitude is A = 0.02 m

Time period is

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(b) At t = 0 the mass is at the maximum stretched position.

x(0) = A

s
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Here x is in metres and t is in seconds.

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Q. 14.10 (c) In Exercise 14.9, let us take the position of mass when the spring is unstreched

as 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 the
Aa

mass is

(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?
Answer:

Amplitude is A = 0.02 m

Time period is

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(c) At t = 0 the mass is at the maximum compressed position.

x(0) = -A

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Here x is in metres and t is in seconds.

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The above functions differ only in the initial phase and not in amplitude or frequency.

Q. 14.11 Figures 14.25 correspond to two circular motions. The radius of the circle, the period of
Aa

revolution, the initial position, and the sense of revolution (i.e. clockwise or anti-clockwise) are
indicated on each figure.
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Obtain the corresponding simple harmonic motions of the x-projection of the radius vector of the

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revolving particle P, in each case.

Answer:

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(a) Let the required function be

Amplitude = 3 cm = 0.03 m
s
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T=2s
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Since initial position x(t) = 0,

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As the sense of revolution is clock wise

Aa

Here x is in metres and t is in seconds.

(b)Let the required function be

Amplitude = 2 m
T=4s

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Since initial position x(t) = -A,

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As the sense of revolution is anti-clock wise

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Here x is in metres and t is in seconds.
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Q. 14.12 (a) Plot the corresponding reference circle for each of the following simple harmonic

motions. Indicate the initial 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
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anticlockwise in every case: (x is in cm and t is in s).

(a)
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Answer:
Aa

The initial position of the particle is x(0)

The radius of the circle i.e. the amplitude is 2 cm

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The angular speed of the rotating particle is

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Initial phase is

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The reference circle for the given simple Harmonic motion is
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sh
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Aa

Q. 14.12 (b) Plot the corresponding reference circle for each of the following simple harmonic

motions. Indicate the initial 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).
(b)

Answer:

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The initial position of the particle is x(0)

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The radius of the circle i.e. the amplitude is 1 cm
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The angular speed of the rotating particle is
sh

Initial phase is
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The reference circle for the given simple Harmonic motion is

Aa
Q. 14.12 (c) Plot the corresponding reference circle for each of the following simple harmonic

motions. Indicate the initial 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).

(c)

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Answer:

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At t= 0
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Reference circle is as follows
sh
ka
Aa

Oscillations Excercise:

Question:
Q. 14.12 (d) Plot the corresponding reference circle for each of the following simple harmonic

motions. Indicate the initial 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).

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(d)

Answer:

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The initial position of the particle is x(0)
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The radius of the circle i.e. the amplitude is 2 cm
sh

The angular speed of the rotating particle is

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Initial phase is
Aa

The reference circle for the given simple Harmonic motion is

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Q. 14.13 (a) Figure 14.30

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(a) shows a spring of force constant k clamped rigidly at one end and a mass m attached to its

free end. force applied at the free end stretches the spring. Figure 14.30 (b) shows the same

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spring with both ends free and attached to a mass m at either end. Each end of the spring in Fig.
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14.30

(b) is stretched by the same force F.

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Aa

(a) What is the maximum extension of the spring in the two cases?

Answer:

(a) Let us assume the maximum extension produced in the spring is x.

At maximum extension
(b) Let us assume the maximum extension produced in the spring is x. That is x/2 due to force
towards left and x/2 due to force towards right

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Oscillations Excercise:

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Question:

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Q. 14.13 (b) Figure 14.26 (a) shows a spring of force constant k clamped rigidly at one end and a

mass m attached to its free end. force applied at the free end stretches the spring. Figure

14.26 (b) shows the same spring with both ends free and attached to a mass m at either end. Each
sh

end of the spring in Fig. 14.26 (b) is stretched by the same force .
ka
Aa

(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?

Answer:
(b).(a) In Fig, (a) we have

F=-kx

ma=-kx

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(b) In fig (b) the two equal masses will be executing SHM about their centre of mass. The time
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period of the system would be equal to a single object of same mass m attached to a spring of

half the length of the given spring (or undergoing half the extension of the given spring while
applied with the same force)
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Spring constant of such a spring would be 2k

F=-2kx
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ma=-2kx
Aa

Q. 14.14 The piston in the cylinder head of a locomotive has a stroke (twice the amplitude)

of If the piston moves with simple harmonic motion with an angular frequency
of what is its maximum speed ?

Answer:
Amplitude of SHM = 0.5 m

angular frequency is

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If the equation of SHM is given by

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The velocity would be given by

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The maximum speed is therefore
In
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Q. 14.15 The acceleration due to gravity on the surface of moon is What is the time

period of a simple pendulum on the surface of moon if its time period on the surface of earth
is ? (g on the surface of earth is 9.8 m s–2)
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Answer:
Aa

The time period of a simple pendulum of length l executing S.H.M is given by

g e = 9.8 m s -2

g m = 1.7 m s -2
The time period of the pendulum on the surface of Earth is T e = 3.5 s

The time period of the pendulum on the surface of the moon is T m

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Q. 14.16 (a) Answer the following questions :

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(a) Time period of a particle in SHM depends on the force constant k and mass m of the particle:

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A simple pendulum executes SHM approximately. Why then is the time period
of a pendulum independent of the mass of the pendulum?

Answer:

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In case of spring, the spring constant is independent of the mass attached whereas in case of a

pendulum k is proportional to m making k/m constant and thus the time period comes out to be
independent of the mass of the body attached.
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Q. 14.16 (b) Answer the following questions :

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(b) The motion of a simple pendulum is approximately simple harmonic for small angle

oscillations: For larger angles of oscillation, a more involved analysis shows that T is greater
Aa

than Think of a qualitative argument to appreciate this result.

Answer:
In reaching the result we have assumed sin(x/l)=x/l. This assumption is only true

for very small values of x . Therefore it is obvious that once x takes larger values we will
have deviations from the above-mentioned value.

Q. 14.16 (c) Answer the following questions :

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(c) A man with a wristwatch on his hand falls from the top of a tower. Does the watch give

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correct time during the free fall?

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Answer:

The watch must be using an electrical circuit or a spring system to tell the time and therefore free

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falling would not affect the time his watch predicts.
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Q. 14.16 (d) Answer the following questions :

(d) What is the frequency of oscillation of a simple pendulum mounted in a cabin that is freely
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falling under gravity?

Answer:
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While free falling the effective value of g inside the cabin will be zero and therefore the

frequency of oscillation of a simple pendulum would be zero i.e. it would not vibrate at all
Aa

because of the absence of a restoring force.

Q .14.17 A simple pendulum of length l and having a bob of mass is suspended in a [Link]

car is moving on a circular track of radius with a uniform speed . If the pendulum makes
small oscillations in a radial direction about its equilibrium position, what will be its time period?

Answer:
Acceleration due to gravity = g (in downwards direction)

Centripetal acceleration due to the circular movement of the car = a c

(in the horizontal direction)

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Effective acceleration is

ut
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The time period is T'

s
In
sh

Q. 14.18 A cylindrical piece of cork of density of base area A and height h floats in a liquid of
density . The cork is depressed slightly and then released
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Show that the cork oscillates up and down simple harmonically with a

period where is the density of cork. (Ignore damping due to viscosity of the
Aa

liquid).

Answer:

Let the cork be displaced by a small distance x in downwards direction from its equilibrium
position where it is floating.
The extra volume of fluid displaced by the cork is Ax

Taking the downwards direction as positive we have

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Comparing with a=-kx we have

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Q. 14.19 One end of a U-tube containing mercury is connected to a suction pump and the other
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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.
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Answer:

Let the height of each mercury column be h.

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The total length of mercury in both the columns = 2h.

Aa

Let the cross-sectional area of the mercury column be A.

Let the density of mercury be

When either of the mercury columns dips by a distance x, the total difference between the two
columns becomes 2x.
Weight of this difference is

This weight drives the rest of the entire column to the original mean position.

Let the acceleration of the column be a Since the force is restoring

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which is the equation of a body executing S.H.M

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The time period of the oscillation would be

s
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NCERT solutions for class 11 physics chapter 14 oscillations additional
exercise
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Q. 14.20 An air chamber of volume V has a neck area of cross section a into which a ball of

mass m just fits and can move up and down without any friction (Fig.14.33). Show that when the
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ball is pressed down a little and released , it executes SHM. Obtain an expression for the time

period of oscillations assuming pressure-volume variations of air to be isothermal [see Fig.

14.33].
Aa
 e
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Answer:

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Let the initial volume and pressure of the chamber be V and P.

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Let the ball be pressed by a distance x.
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This will change the volume by an amount ax.

Let the change in pressure be

sh

Let the Bulk's modulus of air be K.

ka

This pressure variation would try to restore the position of the ball.
Aa

Since force is restoring in nature displacement and acceleration due to the force would be in
different directions.

The above is the equation of a body executing S.H.M.

The time period of the oscillation would be

Q. 14.21 (a) You are riding in an automobile of mass . Assuming that you are

examining the oscillation characteristics of its suspension system. The suspension

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sags when the entire automobile is placed on it. Also, the amplitude of oscillation

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decreases by during one complete oscillation. Estimate the values of

(a) the spring constant

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Answer:

Mass of automobile (m) = 3000 kg

s
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There are a total of four springs.

Compression in each spring, x = 15 cm = 0.15 m

sh

Let the spring constant of each spring be k

ka
Aa

Q. 14.21 (b) You are riding in an automobile of mass . Assuming that you are

examining the oscillation characteristics of its suspension system. The suspension

sags when the entire automobile is placed on it. Also, the amplitude of oscillation
decreases by during one complete oscillation. Estimate the values of
(b) the damping constant b for the spring and shock absorber system of one wheel, assuming that
each wheel supports .

Answer:

The amplitude of oscillation decreases by 50 % in one oscillation i.e. in one time period.

e
ut
tit
For damping factor b we have

s
In
x=x 0 /2

t=0.77s
sh

m=750 kg
ka

14.22 Show that for a particle in linear SHM the average kinetic energy over a period of
oscillation equals the average potential energy over the same period.
Aa

Answer:

Let the equation of oscillation be given by

Velocity would be given as

Kinetic energy at an instant is given by

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Time Period is given by

ut
tit
The Average Kinetic Energy would be given as follows

s
In
The potential energy at an instant T is given by
sh

The Average Potential Energy would be given by

ka
Aa

We can see K av = U av

Q .14.23 A circular disc of mass is suspended by a wire attached to its centre. The wire is

twisted by rotating the disc and released. The period of torsional oscillations is found to

be The radius of the disc is . Determine the torsional spring constant of the wire.
(Torsional spring constant is defined by the relation , where J is the restoring couple
and θ the angle of twist).

Answer:

e
Moment of Inertia of the disc about the axis passing through its centre and perpendicular to it is

ut
s tit
The period of Torsional oscillations would be
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Q. 14.24 (a) A body describes simple harmonic motion with an amplitude of and a period
sh

of Find the acceleration and velocity of the body when the displacement is

(a)
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Answer:

A = 5 cm = 0.05 m
Aa

T = 0.2 s
At displacement x acceleration is

At displacement x velocity is

(a)At displacement 5 cm

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ut
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Q. 14.24 (b) A body describes simple harmonic motion with an amplitude of and a period
of Find the acceleration and velocity of the body when the displacement is

(b)

s
In
Answer:

A = 5 cm = 0.05 m
sh

T = 0.2 s
ka
Aa

At displacement x acceleration is

At displacement x velocity is

(a)At displacement 3 cm
 e
Q. 14.24 (c) A body describes simple harmonic motion with an amplitude of and a period

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of Find the acceleration and velocity of the body when the displacement is

(c)

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Answer:

A = 5 cm = 0.05 m

s
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T = 0.2 s
sh
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At displacement x acceleration is

At displacement x velocity is
Aa

(a)At displacement 0 cm
Q. 14.25 A mass attached to a spring is free to oscillate, with angular velocity , in a horizontal

plane without friction or damping. It is pulled to distance and pushed towards the centre with

a velocity at time Determine the amplitude of the resulting oscillations in terms of the

parameters , and . [Hint : Start with the equation and note that the
initial velocity is negative.]

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Answer:

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At the maximum extension of spring, the entire energy of the system would be stored as the
potential energy of the spring.

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Let the amplitude be A

s
In
The angular frequency of a spring-mass system is always equal to
sh

Therefore
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Aa