Lesson 3.6.1.2

3.6.1.2 Simple harmonic motion Quiz: AQA Physics, Unit 6

20 questions

Written by Revision Ninja · Last reviewed 11 October 2026

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Lesson 3.6.1.2, Simple harmonic motion: 20 multiple choice questions for the AQA Physics (7408), Unit 6: Further mechanics and thermal physics (A-level only), written with Revision Ninja.

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The 20 questions

  1. In simple harmonic motion, acceleration is directly proportional to displacement and directed:

    • Along velocity direction
    • Away from equilibrium
    • Perpendicular to motion
    • Towards equilibrium position

  2. In the defining equation a = -ω²x for SHM, what does the negative sign indicate?

    • Decreasing frequency
    • Same as displacement
    • Constant deceleration
    • Opposite to displacement

  3. For x = A cos(omega t), the displacement at t = 0 is:

    • zero
    • A, the amplitude
    • omega A
    • -A

  4. The maximum speed in SHM is:

    • omega^2 A
    • omega^2 A^2
    • A / omega
    • omega A

  5. The maximum acceleration in SHM is:

    • omega A^2
    • omega^2 A
    • A / omega^2
    • omega A

  6. At what displacement from equilibrium is the velocity of an SHM oscillator zero?

    • Half amplitude
    • Quarter amplitude
    • Maximum amplitude
    • Zero displacement

  7. The gradient of a displacement-time graph gives:

    • energy
    • acceleration
    • velocity
    • force

  8. An SHM oscillation has amplitude 0.050 m and frequency 2.0 Hz. What is the maximum speed?

    • 0.63 m s^-1
    • 6.3 m s^-1
    • 0.31 m s^-1
    • 0.10 m s^-1

  9. An oscillator of amplitude 0.050 m and frequency 2.0 Hz has what maximum acceleration?

    • 3.9 m s^-2
    • 7.9 m s^-2
    • 16 m s^-2
    • 0.63 m s^-2

  10. A displacement is x = 0.040 cos(10 t) m. What is the displacement at t = 0.10 s?

    • 0.0084 m
    • 0.040 m
    • 0.022 m
    • 0.0067 m

  11. An SHM oscillator has period 0.50 s. What is its angular frequency?

    • 1.0 rad s^-1
    • 3.1 rad s^-1
    • 12.6 rad s^-1
    • 25 rad s^-1

  12. An oscillator with amplitude 0.10 m and angular frequency 5.0 rad/s is at displacement 0.060 m. What is its speed?

    • 0.80 m s^-1
    • 0.30 m s^-1
    • 0.50 m s^-1
    • 0.40 m s^-1

  13. At which position is the magnitude of acceleration greatest for an SHM oscillator?

    • At equilibrium position
    • At half amplitude
    • At maximum displacement
    • At maximum velocity

  14. At which position during simple harmonic motion is speed at its maximum?

    • Half amplitude
    • Maximum displacement
    • Extreme position
    • Equilibrium position

  15. At which position in simple harmonic motion is kinetic energy at its maximum?

    • Maximum displacement
    • Positive amplitude
    • Negative amplitude
    • Equilibrium position

  16. If the amplitude of an SHM system doubles at constant frequency, maximum speed:

    • Halves
    • Quadruples
    • Stays the same
    • Doubles

  17. An SHM oscillator has a = -64 x (SI units). At displacement x = 0.020 m, what is the acceleration?

    • -0.16 m s^-2
    • -2.6 m s^-2
    • +1.3 m s^-2
    • -1.3 m s^-2

  18. An SHM oscillator has frequency 3.0 Hz and amplitude 0.020 m. What is its speed when the displacement is 0.010 m?

    • 1.1 m s^-1
    • 0.57 m s^-1
    • 0.33 m s^-1
    • 0.19 m s^-1

  19. What shape is a velocity-time graph for an object undergoing simple harmonic motion?

    • Parabolic
    • Sinusoidal
    • Exponential
    • Linear

  20. An SHM oscillator has period 0.80 s. How long does it take to travel from maximum displacement to the equilibrium position?

    • 0.80 s
    • 0.20 s
    • 0.40 s
    • 0.10 s

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