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3 marksHarmonic Motion

CAPE Physics Unit 1 · May/June 2026 · Paper 2 · Question 2(b)(iii)

A block of mass m = 0.68 kg is fastened to a spring of spring constant k = 65 N m⁻¹ on a frictionless surface. It is pulled a distance x = 0.11 m from equilibrium and released from rest at t = 0 s, oscillating with angular frequency ω = 9.78 rad s⁻¹.

Calculate the maximum speed, vₘ, of the oscillating block and state the position of the block when its maximum speed is attained.

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Other parts of this question

  1. 2(a)Draw and label the period and amplitude on the sketch of the sinusoidal waveform in Figure 3.[2 marks]
  2. 2(b)(i)Calculate the period of the motion of the block.[3 marks]
  3. 2(b)(ii)Deduce the amplitude of the oscillation and provide an explanation in terms of energy transformations in the oscillating spring-mass system.[4 marks]
  4. 2(b)(iv)Calculate the maximum acceleration, aₘ, of the oscillating block.[3 marks]
  5. 2(c)(i)On Figure 5, draw and label the normal.[1 mark]
  6. 2(c)(ii)On Figure 5, draw and label the angle of incidence, i.[1 mark]
  7. 2(c)(iii)On Figure 5, draw and label the angle of refraction, r.[1 mark]
  8. 2(d)(i)On the grid provided in Figure 6, plot a graph of sin i versus sin r and draw the line of best fit through the points.[4 marks]
  9. 2(d)(ii)Hence, determine the refractive index of Perspex.[3 marks]
  10. 2(d)(iii)State the THREE conditions under which total internal reflection occurs.[3 marks]
  11. 2(d)(iv)Explain why it is preferable to use red light instead of white light in the experiment.[2 marks]

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