Chapter 5   Question 4
 
a. What is an isochronous oscillation? Give an example.  2 marks
 
In an isochronous oscillation, the frequency is independent of the amplitude of oscillation. 1
All simple harmonic motions are isochronous. e.g. simple pendulum. 1
 
b. State Archimedes’ principle. Explain how the weight of a floating object is related to the upthrust from the liquid. Hence, show that after a floating cylinder is pressed down briefly and then released, it will perform vertical simple harmonic motion. Discuss how the period of oscillation is related to the shape of the floating object. 5 marks
Archimedes' principle
When an object is wholly or partially immersed in a fluid, the upthrust on the object is equal to the weight of the fluid displaced. 1
For a floating object, the upthrust is equal to the weight of object. 1
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Suppose the volume of the floating object immersed in water at equilibrium is V.
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where rl is the density of the liquid and m is the mass of the object.
If the object is displaced by x downward, the upthrust becomes
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The net force acting on the object is
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Thus, the acceleration is given by
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Thus, the motion is simple harmonic.
Suppose the object is a cylinder with cross-sectional area A and height h.
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The period of oscillation is
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It is independent of the cross-sectional area and is longer for a shorter cylinder. 1
 
c. What is a forced oscillation? Discuss how the amplitude and frequency of the driven system vary with the frequency of the driving force. 3 marks
 
A forced oscillation is motion produced when a vibrating system is acted upon by an external periodic force. 1
Without the external force, the system vibrates freely at its natural frequency.
When the driving frequency is close to the natural frequency, the amplitude is very large. In particular, when the two frequencies are equal, resonance occurs. 1
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d. Using a table, show the phase relationship between the driven system and the driving force in a forced oscillation. Describe an experiment to show the phase relationship in such an oscillation. 5 marks
 
When the driving frequency f is less than the natural frequency fo (f < fo), the phase difference f is zero.
When f = fo, f = p/2.
When f > fo, f = p.
Driving frequency Driven system lags behind the driving force by f
less than fo 0
equal to fo p/2
larger than fo p
 
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Barton's pendulum
It consists of a horizontal thread which supports a massive pendulum D and a number of paper cone pendulums, one of which has the same length as D. 1
When D is pulled aside and then released, all other pendulums are forced to oscillate. The phase relationship can be observed from above. 1
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e. Give an example of resonance. 1 mark
 
  • Falling of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge
  • Absorption spectrum
  • musical instrument
  • tuning circuit
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