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Date May 2016 Marks available 2 Reference code 16M.3.HL.TZ0.11
Level Higher level Paper Paper 3 Time zone Time zone 0
Command term Describe Question number 11 Adapted from N/A

Question

A solid sphere A suspended by a string from a fixed support forms a simple pendulum.

The Q factor for this system is 200 and the period of oscillation is approximately 0.4s.

The sphere A is displaced so that the system oscillates. Discuss, with reference to the Q factor, the subsequent motion of the pendulum.

[2]
a.

The support point P of the pendulum is now made to oscillate horizontally with frequency f.

Describe the amplitude of A and phase of A relative to P when

(i) f = 2.5 Hz.
(ii) f = 1 Hz.

[2]
b.

Markscheme

high Q means low damping OR system oscillates with low damping
«exponential» decrease of amplitude/energy OR oscillates about 200 times before coming to rest
loses about 3% of energy per cycle OR loses small amount of energy each cycle

a.

(i) large amplitude/resonance

(ii) small amplitude AND A «almost» in phase with P

b.

Examiners report

[N/A]
a.
[N/A]
b.

Syllabus sections

Option B: Engineering physics » Option B: Engineering physics (Additional higher level option topics) » B.4 – Forced vibrations and resonance (HL only)
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