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11th Class Notes

Chapter 7 – Oscillations
CONCEPTUAL QUESTIONS
Q1. Give two applica ons in which resonance plays an important role.
Ans: See your textbook. Page No. 236-237

Q2. What happens to the me period of a simple pendulum if its length is doubled?
Ans: If the length of a simple pendulum is doubled, its me period will increase ‘square root of 2’
mes the ini al me period.
Mathema cally,

𝑙
𝑇 = 2𝜋
𝑔

If l’ = 2l then,

2𝑙
𝑇′ = 2𝜋
𝑔

𝑙
𝑇 = √2 х 2𝜋
𝑔

𝑇 = √2 х 𝑇
Thus, when length of a simple pendulum is doubled, then its me period will increase by
‘square root of2’ mes the ini al me period.

Q3. What will be the frequency of a simple pendulum if its length is ‘1m’?
Ans: The frequency of a simple pendulum of 1m length will be 0.5 Hz. Mathema cally,
If l = 1m,
1 𝑔
𝑓=
2𝜋 𝑙
By subs tu ng the values,

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1 9.8
𝑓=
2 𝑥 3.14 1

f = 0.5 Hz
Thus the frequency of a simple pendulum of 1m length will be 0.5 Hz.

Q4. Give one prac cal example of each of free and forced oscilla ons.
Ans: A simple pendulum is an example of free oscilla ons and strings of a guitar is an example of
forced oscilla ons.
The oscilla ons which occur without the interference of external force are called free oscilla ons.
When a pendulum is displaced from its mean posi on and released, it oscillates back and forth
due to the force of gravity (under the ac on of component of its weight). Hence, it’s an example
of free oscilla ons.
The oscilla ons which occur under the interference of external force are called forced oscilla ons.
When string of a guitar is plucked repeatedly to play music, the oscilla on of the string becomes
forced. The frequency of the oscilla on depends upon the plucking ac on, and the string
resonates with the forced frequency. Hence, it’s an example of forced oscilla ons.

Q5. How can you compare the masses of two bodies by observing their frequencies of
oscilla on when supported by a spring?
Ans: The frequency and mass of the body are inversely related to each other in a mass-spring
system.

1 𝑘
𝑓=
2𝜋 𝑚

√𝑘 1
𝑓= х
2𝜋 √𝑚
√
As, = constant, so;

1
𝑓 = 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡 х
√𝑚
1
𝑓 ∝
√𝑚

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We can compare the masses of two bodies by observing their frequencies, i.e. the mass with
lower frequency will be greater as compared to the mass with higher frequency.

Q6. A wire hangs from the top of a dark high tower, so that the top of the tower is not visible.
How you would be able to determine the height of that tower?
Ans: We can find the height of the tower by making the wire a simple pendulum.
A mass (bob) is connected with the lower visible end of the wire so that it becomes a simple
pendulum. If we know the me period of that pendulum, the length of string (wire) can be
determined by using the rela on;
𝑔𝑇²
𝑙 =
4𝜋²
Thus, by pu ng the values of g, T, and π, we can determine the value of length ‘l’.

Q7. Why in S.H.M the accelera on is zero, when the velocity is greatest?
Ans: According to defini on, in S.H.M accelera on of body is directly propor onal to the
displacement from mean posi on. During S.H.M, velocity is maximum at mean posi on. As
displacement is zero at mean posi on, thus accelera on is also zero at mean posi on.
Mathema cally, we know that;
a∝x
or a = -𝜔²x
At mean position, x = 0 therefore;
a = -𝜔²(0)
a=0

Q8. What is the total distance covered by a simple harmonic oscillator in a me equal to its
me period? The amplitude of oscilla on is ‘A’.
Ans: The total distance covered by a harmonic oscillator in a me equal to its me period will be
equal to four mes its amplitude, i.e. 4A.

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If ‘B’ is the mean posi on and ‘A’ and ‘C’ are

extreme posi ons, the in one vibra on;
Distance from B to A = A
Distance from A to B = A
Distance from B to C = A
Distance from C to B = A

Total Distance for one vibra on = A + A + A + A

= 4A

Q9. What happens to the frequency of a simple pendulum as its oscilla ons die down from
large amplitude to small?
Ans: Mathema cally, frequency of simple pendulum is given by;
1 𝑔
𝑓=
2𝜋 𝑙
From above rela on, we can clearly see that frequency is independent of amplitude of oscilla ng
body. But in prac cal system (damped oscilla ons), the resis ve force not only decreases the
amplitude but also increases the me period. As, me period and frequency are reciprocal of
each other so frequency is decreased as the oscilla ons die down from large amplitude to small.

Q10. A singer, holding a note of right frequency, can sha er a glass. Explain?
Ans: Yes, it is possible for a singer to sha er a glass through resonance.
Every solid body, glass in our case, has a certain natural frequency of vibra on. If a singer sings a
note of right frequency i.e. equal to the natural frequency of glass, resonance occurs and energy
of sound wave is absorbed by the glass molecules. As a result, their amplitude of vibra on
increases and glass may sha er.

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