A student claims that increasing the amplitude of a simple harmonic oscillator…
PHYSICS · Single correct · A Level · Physics · Further mechanics and thermal physics · Further mechanics and thermal physics
Problem
A student claims that increasing the amplitude of a simple harmonic oscillator increases its frequency because the mass moves faster. Which of the following best evaluates the student’s claim for an ideal mass–spring system?
(a) The claim is correct; a larger amplitude means the mass covers more distance in the same time, so frequency increases.
(b) The claim is correct only for very small amplitudes; at larger amplitudes the frequency increases noticeably.
(c) The claim is incorrect; while maximum speed increases, the frequency is determined by the mass and spring constant, not the amplitude.
(d) The claim is incorrect because frequency actually decreases when amplitude increases, since the mass must travel farther each cycle.