Springs in motion: period, frequency and graphs
Grade 11 Science Worksheet - Challenge Me

Circle the best answer, or write your answer on the line.
A mass on a spring has amplitude 0.05 m and period 0.5 s. What is its greatest speed, to 0.01 m/s, Esme?
A mass on a spring has amplitude 0.1 m and period 2 s. What is its greatest speed, to 0.01 m/s, Jun?
A mass on a spring has amplitude 0.2 m and period 1.6 s. What is its greatest speed, to 0.01 m/s, Kira?
A student says pulling the mass farther makes each oscillation take longer. Which reply fits OpenStax, Luz?
- No; the period does not depend on amplitude
- Yes; a bigger swing takes longer to finish
- Yes; twice the pull gives twice the period
A student says a smaller pull makes each cycle quicker. Which reply fits OpenStax, Milo?
- No; the period stays the same for a smaller pull
- Yes; half the pull gives half the period
- Yes; a shorter path takes less time
A student says doubling the mass doubles the period. Which reply fits T = 2π√(m ÷ k), Noah?
- Yes; the period is proportional to the mass
- No; a bigger swing is what changes the period
- No; the period grows by √2, about 1.41 times
Using the two traces, how do their frequencies compare, Pia?
- They are equal, since both are springs
- A's is twice B's: 1 Hz and 0.5 Hz
- B's is twice A's: 1 Hz and 0.5 Hz
The two masses in the traces are equal. Which spring is stiffer, Ren?
Use the picture in question 7.
- A's spring, 4 times as stiff
- A's spring, 2 times as stiff
- B's spring, 4 times as stiff
Which trace shows the greater maximum speed, Tala?
Use the picture in question 7.
- A, since its period is shorter
- They are equal, about 25 cm/s
- B, since its amplitude is bigger
A 0.5 kg mass makes the motion in this graph. What is the spring constant, Zee?
Position-time graph of a mass on a spring (example data): time (s) across, 0 to 4, a mark every 0.5 s; position (cm) up, −8 to 8, a mark every 4 cm. The line joins (0 s, 8 cm), (0.5 s, 0 cm), (1 s, −8 cm), (1.5 s, 0 cm), (2 s, 8 cm), (2.5 s, 0 cm), (3 s, −8 cm), (3.5 s, 0 cm), (4 s, 8 cm) with a smooth wave. A mass on a spring moves up and down about equilibrium (0 cm). Position-time graph of a mass on a spring (example data): time (s) across, 0 to 4, a mark every 0.5 s; position (cm) up, −8 to 8, a mark every 4 cm. The line joins (0 s, 8 cm), (0.5 s, 0 cm), (1 s, −8 cm), (1.5 s, 0 cm), (2 s, 8 cm), (2.5 s, 0 cm), (3 s, −8 cm), (3.5 s, 0 cm), (4 s, 8 cm) with a smooth wave. A mass on a spring moves up and down about equilibrium (0 cm). Position-time graph of a mass on a spring 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 −8 −4 4 8 time (s) position (cm) A mass on a spring moves up and down about equilibrium (0 cm). - About 9.9 N/m
- About 1.6 N/m
- About 4.9 N/m