Lesson 13.2.1

13.2.1 Resonance, free and forced oscillations Quiz: Pearson Edexcel Physics, Unit 13

20 questions

Written by Revision Ninja · Last reviewed 11 October 2026

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Lesson 13.2.1, Resonance, free and forced oscillations: 20 multiple choice questions for the Pearson Edexcel Physics (9PH0), Unit 13: Oscillations, written with Revision Ninja.

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The 20 questions

  1. At what frequency does a system undergo free oscillation?

    • Zero frequency
    • Natural frequency
    • Threshold frequency
    • Driving frequency

  2. Resonance occurs when driving frequency equals which frequency of a system?

    • Damping frequency
    • Natural frequency
    • Threshold frequency
    • Maximum frequency

  3. At what frequency does a forced oscillator vibrate in the steady state?

    • Zero frequency
    • Natural frequency
    • Resonant frequency only
    • Driving frequency

  4. What happens to the height of the resonance peak as damping increases?

    • It doubles
    • It remains constant
    • It decreases
    • It increases

  5. Why are soldiers instructed to break step when marching across a bridge?

    • Increase friction
    • Prevent resonance
    • Reduce total mass
    • Maintain momentum

  6. A mass of 0.20 kg on a spring of stiffness 50 N m^-1 has natural frequency (1/2 π) sqrt(k/m). What is this frequency?

    • 2.5 Hz
    • 0.16 Hz
    • 15.8 Hz
    • 0.40 Hz

  7. A system has natural frequency 2.5 Hz. It is driven at 5.0 Hz. Compared with its amplitude at resonance, the amplitude is

    • larger
    • infinite
    • the same
    • smaller

  8. A spring of stiffness 40 N m^-1 has resonant frequency 2.0 Hz with an unknown mass. What is the unknown mass?

    • 0.25 kg
    • 1.0 kg
    • 4.0 kg
    • 0.10 kg

  9. If the mass on a spring is quadrupled, what happens to its natural frequency?

    • It is unchanged.
    • It quarters.
    • It halves.
    • It doubles.

  10. An oscillator's amplitude falls by a factor of 0.8 each cycle. Starting at 10 cm, what is the amplitude after 3 cycles?

    • 1.0 cm
    • 2.0 cm
    • 8.0 cm
    • about 5.1 cm

  11. Compared to heavy damping, how does light damping affect a resonance peak?

    • Has no effect
    • Makes it sharper
    • Makes it broader
    • Flattens it completely

  12. What value does forced oscillation amplitude approach at very high driving frequencies?

    • Zero
    • Infinity
    • Maximum amplitude
    • Natural amplitude

  13. What is the main function of damping in vehicle suspension systems?

    • Store energy
    • Increase amplitude
    • Increase speed
    • Dissipate energy

  14. What is the frequency of free oscillation of an undisturbed system called?

    • Forced frequency
    • Threshold frequency
    • Driving frequency
    • Natural frequency

  15. Which of these is an example of a forced oscillation?

    • Pushing a swing
    • Releasing a pendulum
    • Dropping a ball
    • Plucking a string

  16. What happens to oscillation amplitude when a system is driven at resonance with minimal damping?

    • Decreases steadily
    • Remains constant
    • Becomes zero
    • Becomes very large

  17. What determines the frequency of steady-state forced oscillations?

    • System mass
    • Driving force
    • Initial displacement
    • System stiffness

  18. A system is driven at 4 Hz, its natural frequency, with light damping. What is the steady-state frequency of oscillation?

    • 0 Hz
    • 2 Hz
    • 4 Hz
    • 8 Hz

  19. What is the natural frequency of a 2.0 kg mass on a spring of stiffness 8.0 N m^-1?

    • 0.16 Hz
    • 2.0 Hz
    • 1.6 Hz
    • 0.32 Hz

  20. How does increased damping affect the width of a resonance peak?

    • Eliminates it entirely
    • Makes it narrower
    • Makes it broader
    • Has no effect

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