OscillationsNEET MCQs with solutions
Oscillations covers simple harmonic motion (SHM), springs, pendulums, energy in SHM, damped and forced oscillations. NEET tests SHM equations (displacement, velocity, acceleration), time period of spring and pendulum systems, and energy at different positions. This is a high-weightage, formula-intensive chapter.
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- 11 Physics
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Practise 24 questions
Tap an option to check it. Questions from every NCERT topic in this chapter, from easy to hard.
Q1Simple Pendulum
A simple pendulum performs small oscillations. Its time period is given by:
Not quite — the answer is A.
For small oscillations, T = 2π√(L/g). Option B inverts L and g inside the square root — the single most common formula error. T increases with L and decreases with g.
Q2Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM): Definition and Characteristics
Which of the following conditions is necessary and sufficient for a particle to execute SHM?
Not quite — the answer is A.
SHM requires F = −kx: restoring force proportional to displacement and directed toward mean position. Constant acceleration (C) describes uniform force, not SHM. Uniform speed (D) means no restoring force acts.
Q3Mathematical Description of SHM
A particle executes SHM according to x = A sin(ωt + φ). The quantity φ is called:
Not quite — the answer is B.
In x = A sin(ωt + φ), φ is the phase constant (initial phase). It determines the state of the particle at t = 0. Angular frequency is ω, amplitude is A, and time period is T = 2π/ω.
Q4Spring–Block System
A block attached to a horizontal spring executes SHM. The restoring force acting on the block is:
Not quite — the answer is A.
By Hooke's law, F = −kx. Force is proportional to displacement and always directed toward equilibrium. Option C confuses restoring force with damping force, which is velocity-dependent.
Q5Angular SHM & Examples
A body performing angular SHM has restoring torque proportional to which of the following?
Not quite — the answer is A.
tau = -C x theta; torque is proportional to angular displacement with a negative sign, always directed toward equilibrium. Angular velocity and acceleration are not the cause. tau is not time-dependent.
Q6Force Law and Differential Equation of SHM
According to Hooke's law, the restoring force acting on a particle executing SHM is:
Not quite — the answer is A.
F = −kx: the negative sign shows force is always directed opposite to displacement, towards mean position. F = kx² is non-linear so does not give SHM. F = −mv is a damping-type force, not restoring.
Q7Forced Oscillations & Resonance
A body is said to execute forced oscillations when it oscillates under the action of:
Not quite — the answer is A.
Forced oscillations occur when an external periodic driving force continuously acts on the system, overriding its natural frequency tendency. Options B, C, D describe forces present in free oscillations, not the defining feature of forced oscillations.
Q8Damped Oscillations
A damped oscillator is one in which:
Not quite — the answer is A.
Damping causes loss of mechanical energy via resistive forces, reducing amplitude gradually. Frequency changes only slightly for light damping; restoring force is never zero in oscillatory motion.
Q9Grand Test
A particle in SHM has total energy E. At displacement x = A/2, what is the kinetic energy?
Not quite — the answer is C.
KE = E(1 - x²/A²). At x = A/2, KE = E(1 - 1/4) = 3E/4. PE = E/4 at this point; the particle retains three-quarters of total energy as kinetic energy at half-amplitude.
Q10Periodic Motion and Oscillatory Motion
Which of the following best defines periodic motion?
Not quite — the answer is B.
Periodic motion repeats after equal time intervals (T). Speed and acceleration need not be constant. Every oscillatory motion is periodic, but not vice versa.
Q11Energy in SHM
In an ideal simple harmonic motion, the total mechanical energy remains:
Not quite — the answer is A.
Total energy E = KE + PE = ½kA² is constant because no non-conservative force acts in ideal SHM. Options B and C confuse total energy with individual KE and PE, which do vary with position.
Q12Mixed Revision
In SHM, the phase difference between displacement and acceleration is:
Not quite — the answer is A.
a = −ω²x: acceleration is always opposite to displacement, so phase difference = π rad. Option B (π/2) is the phase difference between displacement and velocity — a closely related but distinct relationship.
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Get RankUp on Google PlayQ13NCERT Summary
Which one of the following quantities always has its maximum value at the extreme position of SHM?
Not quite — the answer is A.
At extreme position, displacement is maximum so PE is maximum while KE and speed are zero. Acceleration a = ω²A is also max at extreme, but PE is the primary answer tested in NEET-pattern questions here.
Q14Periodic Motion and Oscillatory Motion
Which one of the following is periodic but NOT oscillatory?
Not quite — the answer is C.
Uniform circular motion repeats after equal intervals but lacks to-and-fro motion about a mean position, so it is not oscillatory. All other options involve restoring motion about equilibrium.
Q15Periodic Motion and Oscillatory Motion
The second hand of a clock completes one revolution in 60 s. Its frequency is:
Not quite — the answer is D.
Frequency f = 1/T = 1/60 Hz. A common error is writing f = T = 60, confusing period with frequency. The second hand completes one cycle per 60 seconds, not 60 cycles per second.
Q16Periodic Motion and Oscillatory Motion
A particle performs 150 oscillations in 5 minutes. Its time period is:
Not quite — the answer is A.
Total time = 5 × 60 = 300 s. T = 300/150 = 2 s. Option D is the trap for students who forget to convert minutes to seconds.
Q17Periodic Motion and Oscillatory Motion
Which of the following correctly states the relationship between oscillatory and periodic motion?
Not quite — the answer is C.
Every oscillatory motion repeats after equal intervals, making it periodic. Uniform circular motion is periodic but not oscillatory — it has no equilibrium position about which it oscillates.
Q18Periodic Motion and Oscillatory Motion
Which of the following is a necessary and sufficient condition for a motion to be classified as oscillatory?
Not quite — the answer is B.
Oscillatory motion requires to-and-fro motion about a mean position with a restoring tendency. Constant time period is a feature, not the defining condition. Constant acceleration violates the restoring force criterion.
Q19Periodic Motion and Oscillatory Motion
If a particle completes one oscillation in time T, its angular frequency ω is given by:
Not quite — the answer is A.
Angular frequency ω = 2π/T, expressing how many radians of phase the oscillation completes per second. Option C gives ordinary frequency f, not angular frequency.
Q20Periodic Motion and Oscillatory Motion
A body completes one oscillation in 0.4 s. Its angular frequency is:
Not quite — the answer is D.
ω = 2π/T = 2π/0.4 = 5π rad s⁻¹. Option C (10π) is the trap for students who incorrectly use ω = 2πT instead of ω = 2π/T.
Q21Periodic Motion and Oscillatory Motion
All of the following are oscillatory motions EXCEPT:
Not quite — the answer is B.
Earth's rotation is periodic (completes one rotation per day) but not oscillatory — it does not move to and fro about a mean position. All other options involve restoring motion about equilibrium.
Q22Periodic Motion and Oscillatory Motion
A student claims: "Every motion having a fixed time period is oscillatory." Which of the following correctly identifies the flaw in this statement?
Not quite — the answer is C.
Periodic motion requires only equal time intervals of repetition. Oscillatory motion additionally demands to-and-fro displacement about a mean position with a restoring force. Circular motion disproves the student's claim.
Q23Periodic Motion and Oscillatory Motion
A particle starts from maximum positive displacement (+A) at t = 0 and executes oscillatory motion with time period T. After what time does it first reach the mean position?
Not quite — the answer is B.
From maximum displacement, the particle reaches mean position after T/4 (one quarter of a full cycle: +A → 0). T/8 is a common trap — students incorrectly halve T/4, not recognising the quarter-cycle rule.
Q24Periodic Motion and Oscillatory Motion
Consider the following statements about oscillatory motion: I. It must be periodic. II. Net displacement after one complete oscillation is always zero. III. The restoring force always acts away from the mean position. IV. It can occur without a mean equilibrium position. How many of the above statements are correct?
Not quite — the answer is A.
Statements I and II are correct: oscillatory motion is always periodic and net displacement per cycle is zero. Statement III is wrong — restoring force acts toward mean position. Statement IV is wrong — equilibrium position is essential.
ELITE question · AIR under 50 level
This chapter has 245 ELITE questions for students aiming at the very top. They are only in the app.
Unlock ELITE questions in the appKey SHM Formulas
Quick revision: most questions in this chapter test these facts.
| Concept | Key Formula |
|---|---|
| Displacement | x = A sin(ωt + φ); A = amplitude, ω = 2π/T |
| Velocity | v = Aω cos(ωt + φ) = ω√(A²−x²); max at mean, zero at extreme |
| Acceleration | a = −ω²x; max at extreme, zero at mean; always towards mean |
| Spring time period | T = 2π√(m/k); independent of amplitude and g |
| Pendulum time period | T = 2π√(L/g); independent of mass and amplitude (small angle) |
| Energy in SHM | KE = ½mω²(A²−x²); PE = ½mω²x²; total E = ½mω²A² = constant |
What the app covers in this chapter
674 questions in total, each with a detailed explanation.
| Simple Pendulum | 60 |
| Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM): Definition and Characteristics | 59 |
| Mathematical Description of SHM | 59 |
| Spring–Block System | 59 |
| Angular SHM & Examples | 59 |
| Force Law and Differential Equation of SHM | 58 |
| Forced Oscillations & Resonance | 58 |
| Damped Oscillations | 56 |
| Grand Test | 56 |
| Periodic Motion and Oscillatory Motion | 40 |
| Energy in SHM | 38 |
| Mixed Revision | 37 |
| NCERT Summary | 35 |
Questions students ask
Is Oscillations important for NEET?
Very important — SHM equations, time period formulas and energy in SHM are tested every year. It is one of the highest-weightage Physics chapters.
Which topics should I revise first?
Master SHM displacement/velocity/acceleration equations, spring and pendulum time periods, energy distribution (KE/PE at different positions), and phase relationships between x, v and a.
How many questions from this chapter are on RankUp?
The RankUp app has 674 questions on Oscillations, including 245 ELITE questions. Every question has a detailed explanation.
