A Cyberphysics Page

Simple Harmonic Motion - Multiple Choice Questions

Q12. Which one of the following statements concerning the acceleration of an object moving with simple harmonic motion is correct?

A	It is constant.
B	It is at a maximum when the object moves through the centre of the oscillation.
C	It is zero when the object moves through the centre of the oscillation.
D	It is zero when the object is at the extremity of the oscillation.

Look at the graph - acceleration varies sinusoidally so choice A is incorrect.

At the centre of the oscillation x=0 - when that is the case acceleration is also zero so choice B is untrue and C is true.

At the 'extremity' displacement is a mximum and acceleration is also maximum - but in the opposite direction.