Horizontal Springs: Velocity and Force - Questions

The Horizontal Springs: Velocity and Force Concept Builder is comprised of 56 questions. The questions are divided into 14 different Question Groups. Questions in the same group are rather similar to one another. The Concept Builder is coded to select at random a question from each group until a student is successful with that group of questions.

There are three different activities that can be engaged in through the Concept Builder. Those three activities are differentiated as follows:
 
  • Speed Analysis: Question Groups 1 - 4 ... Identify the locations where the speed is smallest and greatest for a vibrating mass on a spring.
  • Force Analysis: Question Groups 5 - 8 ... Identify the locations where the net force is smallest and greatest for a vibrating mass on a spring.
  • Graphical Analysis: Question Groups 9 - 14 ... Relate the various sections of a velocity-time plot for a vibrating mass on a spring to the location of the mass along its path.

The questions from each group are shown below. Teachers are encouraged to view the questions in order to judge which activities are most appropriate for their classes. We recommend providing students two or more options. 

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Horizontal Springs: Velocity and Force Analysis

  
 
Activity 1:  Speed Analysis
Question Group 1
Question 1
An air track glider is attached to a spring. It is pulled back to position A and released from rest. It vibrates back and forth between positions A and E. Position C is the equilibrium position. At what position(s) is its speed the greatest?
a.  Position A and E
b.  Positions B and D
c.  Position C
d.  Position A only
e.  Position E only
 
 





 
 
 
Question 2
An air track glider is attached to a spring. It is pulled back to position A and released from rest. It vibrates back and forth between positions A and E. Position C is the equilibrium position. At what position(s) is its speed the greatest?
a.  Position A only
b.  Position E only
c.  Position A and E
d.  Positions B and D
e.  Position C
 







 
 
Question 3
An air track glider is attached to a spring. It is pulled back to position A and released from rest. It vibrates back and forth between positions A and E. Position C is the equilibrium position. At what position(s) is its speed the greatest?
a.  Position A only
b.  Position C
c.  Position E only
d.  Position A and E
e.  Positions B and D
 








 
Question 4
An air track glider is attached to a spring. It is pulled back to position A and released from rest. It vibrates back and forth between positions A and E. Position C is the equilibrium position. At what position(s) is its speed the greatest?
a.  Position A only
b.  Position A and E
c.  Positions B and D
d.  Position C
e.  Position E only
 
 
 
 
 




 
Question Group 2
Question 5
An air track glider is attached to a spring. It is pulled back to position A and released from rest. It vibrates back and forth between positions A and E. Position C is the equilibrium position. At what position(s) does it have a speed of 0 m/s?
a.  Position A and E
b.  Positions B and D
c.  Position C
d.  Position A only
e.  Position E only
 
 







 
Question 6
An air track glider is attached to a spring. It is pulled back to position A and released from rest. It vibrates back and forth between positions A and E. Position C is the equilibrium position. At what position(s) does it have a speed of 0 m/s?
a.  Position A only
b.  Position E only
c.  Position A and E
d.  Positions B and D
e.  Position C
 
 









Question 7
An air track glider is attached to a spring. It is pulled back to position A and released from rest. It vibrates back and forth between positions A and E. Position C is the equilibrium position. At what position(s) does it have a speed of 0 m/s?
a.  Position A only
b.  Position C
c.  Position E only
d.  Position A and E
e.  Positions B and D
 








 
Question 8
An air track glider is attached to a spring. It is pulled back to position A and released from rest. It vibrates back and forth between positions A and E. Position C is the equilibrium position. At what position(s) does it have a speed of 0 m/s?
a.  Position A only
b.  Position A and E
c.  Positions B and D
d.  Position C
e.  Position E only
 
 






 
 
 
Question Group 3
Question 9
An air track glider is attached to a spring. It is pulled back to position A and released from rest. It vibrates back and forth between positions A and E. Position C is the equilibrium position. In what manner does the speed change as the glider moves from A to C?
a.  Speed increases.
b.  Speed decreases.
c.  Speed remains unchanged.
d.  Speed first increases and then decreases.
e.  Speed first decreases and then increases.
 
 







 
Question 10
An air track glider is attached to a spring. It is pulled back to position A and released from rest. It vibrates back and forth between positions A and E. Position C is the equilibrium position. In what manner does the speed change as the glider moves from A to C?
a.  Speed remains unchanged.
b.  Speed increases.
c.  Speed first increases and then decreases.
d.  Speed decreases.
e.  Speed first decreases and then increases.
 
 







 
Question 11
An air track glider is attached to a spring. It is pulled back to position A and released from rest. It vibrates back and forth between positions A and E. Position C is the equilibrium position. In what manner does the speed change as the glider moves from E to C?
a.  Speed increases.
b.  Speed decreases.
c.  Speed remains unchanged.
d.  Speed first increases and then decreases.
e.  Speed first decreases and then increases.
 







 
 
Question 12
An air track glider is attached to a spring. It is pulled back to position A and released from rest. It vibrates back and forth between positions A and E. Position C is the equilibrium position. In what manner does the speed change as the glider moves from E to C?
a.  Speed remains unchanged.
b.  Speed increases.
c.  Speed first increases and then decreases.
d.  Speed decreases.
e.  Speed first decreases and then increases.
 
 




 
 
 
 
Question Group 4
Question 13
An air track glider is attached to a spring. It is pulled back to position A and released from rest. It vibrates back and forth between positions A and E. Position C is the equilibrium position. In what manner does the speed change as the glider moves from C to A?
a.  Speed increases.
b.  Speed decreases.
c.  Speed remains unchanged.
d.  Speed first increases and then decreases.
e.  Speed first decreases and then increases.
 







 
 
Question 14
An air track glider is attached to a spring. It is pulled back to position A and released from rest. It vibrates back and forth between positions A and E. Position C is the equilibrium position. In what manner does the speed change as the glider moves from C to A?
a.  Speed remains unchanged.
b.  Speed increases.
c.  Speed first increases and then decreases.
d.  Speed decreases.
e.  Speed first decreases and then increases.
 
 







 
Question 15
An air track glider is attached to a spring. It is pulled back to position A and released from rest. It vibrates back and forth between positions A and E. Position C is the equilibrium position. In what manner does the speed change as the glider moves from C to E?
a.  Speed increases.
b.  Speed decreases.
c.  Speed remains unchanged.
d.  Speed first increases and then decreases.
e.  Speed first decreases and then increases.
 
 







 
Question 16
An air track glider is attached to a spring. It is pulled back to position A and released from rest. It vibrates back and forth between positions A and E. Position C is the equilibrium position. In what manner does the speed change as the glider moves from C to E?
a.  Speed remains unchanged.
b.  Speed increases.
c.  Speed first increases and then decreases.
d.  Speed decreases.
e.  Speed first decreases and then increases.
 
 
 
 







 
Activity 2: Force Analysis
Question Group 5
Question 17
An air track glider is attached to a spring. It is pulled back to position A and released from rest. It vibrates back and forth between positions A and E. Position C is the equilibrium position.  At what position(s) is the net force the greatest?
a.  Position A and E
b.  Positions B and D
c.  Position C
d.  Position A only
e.  Position E only
 
 






 
Question 18
An air track glider is attached to a spring. It is pulled back to position A and released from rest. It vibrates back and forth between positions A and E. Position C is the equilibrium position.  At what position(s) is the net force the greatest?
a.  Position A only
b.  Position E only
c.  Position A and E
d.  Positions B and D
e.  Position C
 
 







 
Question 19
An air track glider is attached to a spring. It is pulled back to position A and released from rest. It vibrates back and forth between positions A and E. Position C is the equilibrium position.  At what position(s) is the net force the greatest?
a.  Position A only
b.  Position C
c.  Position E only
d.  Position A and E
e.  Positions B and D
 
 






 
Question 20
An air track glider is attached to a spring. It is pulled back to position A and released from rest. It vibrates back and forth between positions A and E. Position C is the equilibrium position.  At what position(s) is the net force the greatest?
a.  Position A only
b.  Position A and E
c.  Positions B and D
d.  Position C
e.  Position E only
 
 
 



 
 
 
Question Group 6
Question 21
An air track glider is attached to a spring. It is pulled back to position A and released from rest. It vibrates back and forth between positions A and E. Position C is the equilibrium position.  At what position(s) does it experience a net force of 0 N?
a.  Position A and E
b.  Positions B and D
c.  Position C
d.  Position A only
e.  Position E only
 
 







 
Question 22
An air track glider is attached to a spring. It is pulled back to position A and released from rest. It vibrates back and forth between positions A and E. Position C is the equilibrium position.  At what position(s) does it experience a net force of 0 N?
a.  Position A only
b.  Position E only
c.  Position A and E
d.  Positions B and D
e.  Position C
 






 
 
Question 23
An air track glider is attached to a spring. It is pulled back to position A and released from rest. It vibrates back and forth between positions A and E. Position C is the equilibrium position.  At what position(s) does it experience a net force of 0 N?
a.  Position A only
b.  Position C
c.  Position E only
d.  Position A and E
e.  Positions B and D
 
 







 
Question 24
An air track glider is attached to a spring. It is pulled back to position A and released from rest. It vibrates back and forth between positions A and E. Position C is the equilibrium position.  At what position(s) does it experience a net force of 0 N?
a.  Position A only
b.  Position A and E
c.  Positions B and D
d.  Position C
e.  Position E only
 
 




 
 
 
Question Group 7
Question 25
An air track glider is attached to a spring. It is pulled back to position A and released from rest. It vibrates back and forth between positions A and E. Position C is the equilibrium position. In what manner does the net force change as the glider moves from A to C?
a.  Net force increases.
b.  Net force decreases.
c.  Net force remains unchanged.
d.  Net force first increases and then decreases.
e.  Net force first decreases and then increases.
 
 







 
Question 26
An air track glider is attached to a spring. It is pulled back to position A and released from rest. It vibrates back and forth between positions A and E. Position C is the equilibrium position. In what manner does the net force change as the glider moves from A to C?
a.  Net force remains unchanged.
b.  Net force increases.
c.  Net force first increases and then decreases.
d.  Net force decreases.
e.  Net force first decreases and then increases.
 
 






 
Question 27
An air track glider is attached to a spring. It is pulled back to position A and released from rest. It vibrates back and forth between positions A and E. Position C is the equilibrium position. In what manner does the net force change as the glider moves from E to C?
a.  Net force increases.
b.  Net force decreases.
c.  Net force remains unchanged.
d.  Net force first increases and then decreases.
e.  Net force first decreases and then increases.
 
 







 
Question 28
An air track glider is attached to a spring. It is pulled back to position A and released from rest. It vibrates back and forth between positions A and E. Position C is the equilibrium position. In what manner does the net force change as the glider moves from E to C?
a.  Net force remains unchanged.
b.  Net force increases.
c.  Net force first increases and then decreases.
d.  Net force decreases.
e.  Net force first decreases and then increases.
 
 





 
Question Group 8
Question 29
An air track glider is attached to a spring. It is pulled back to position A and released from rest. It vibrates back and forth between positions A and E. Position C is the equilibrium position. In what manner does the net force change as the glider moves from C to A?
a.  Net force increases.
b.  Net force decreases.
c.  Net force remains unchanged.
d.  Net force first increases and then decreases.
e.  Net force first decreases and then increases.
 
 







 
Question 30
An air track glider is attached to a spring. It is pulled back to position A and released from rest. It vibrates back and forth between positions A and E. Position C is the equilibrium position. In what manner does the net force change as the glider moves from C to A?
a.  Net force remains unchanged.
b.  Net force increases.
c.  Net force first increases and then decreases.
d.  Net force decreases.
e.  Net force first decreases and then increases.
 
 







 
Question 31
An air track glider is attached to a spring. It is pulled back to position A and released from rest. It vibrates back and forth between positions A and E. Position C is the equilibrium position. In what manner does the net force change as the glider moves from C to E?
a.  Net force increases.
b.  Net force decreases.
c.  Net force remains unchanged.
d.  Net force first increases and then decreases.
e.  Net force first decreases and then increases.
 
 
 







Question 32
An air track glider is attached to a spring. It is pulled back to position A and released from rest. It vibrates back and forth between positions A and E. Position C is the equilibrium position. In what manner does the net force change as the glider moves from C to E?
a.  Net force remains unchanged.
b.  Net force increases.
c.  Net force first increases and then decreases.
d.  Net force decreases.
e.  Net force first decreases and then increases.
 
 

 



 
Activity 3: Graphical Analysis
Question Group 9
Question 33
An air track glider is attached to a spring. It is pulled back to position A and released from rest. It vibrates back and forth between positions A and E. Position C is the equilibrium position. A portion of a plot of its velocity as a function of time is shown. A positive velocity represents the glider moving to the right; a negative velocity represents a leftward motion.
 

 
Consider the section of the plot that is shaded red. This section represents the glider moving from position …
A to B to C
C to B to A
C to D to E
E to D to C
B to C to D
D to C to B
 
 

 
Question 34
An air track glider is attached to a spring. It is pulled back to position A and released from rest. It vibrates back and forth between positions A and E. Position C is the equilibrium position. A portion of a plot of its velocity as a function of time is shown. A positive velocity represents the glider moving to the right; a negative velocity represents a leftward motion.


 
Consider the section of the plot that is shaded red. This section represents the glider moving from position …
A to B to C
B to C to D
C to D to E
E to D to C
D to C to B
C to B to A
 
 

 
Question 35
An air track glider is attached to a spring. It is pulled back to position A and released from rest. It vibrates back and forth between positions A and E. Position C is the equilibrium position. A portion of a plot of its velocity as a function of time is shown. A positive velocity represents the glider moving to the right; a negative velocity represents a leftward motion.


 
Consider the section of the plot that is shaded red. This section represents the glider moving from position …
A to B to C
C to B to A
C to D to E
E to D to C
B to C to D
D to C to B
 

 
Question 36
An air track glider is attached to a spring. It is pulled back to position A and released from rest. It vibrates back and forth between positions A and E. Position C is the equilibrium position. A portion of a plot of its velocity as a function of time is shown. A positive velocity represents the glider moving to the right; a negative velocity represents a leftward motion.
 

 
Consider the section of the plot that is shaded red. This section represents the glider moving from position …
A to B to C
B to C to D
C to D to E
E to D to C
D to C to B
C to B to A 
 
 

 
Question Group 10
Question 37
An air track glider is attached to a spring. It is pulled back to position A and released from rest. It vibrates back and forth between positions A and E. Position C is the equilibrium position. A portion of a plot of its velocity as a function of time is shown. A positive velocity represents the glider moving to the right; a negative velocity represents a leftward motion.


 
Consider the section of the plot that is shaded red. This section represents the glider moving from position …
A to B to C
C to B to A
C to D to E
E to D to C
B to C to D
D to C to B
 
 

 
Question 38
An air track glider is attached to a spring. It is pulled back to position A and released from rest. It vibrates back and forth between positions A and E. Position C is the equilibrium position. A portion of a plot of its velocity as a function of time is shown. A positive velocity represents the glider moving to the right; a negative velocity represents a leftward motion.


 
Consider the section of the plot that is shaded red. This section represents the glider moving from position …
A to B to C
B to C to D
C to D to E
E to D to C
D to C to B
C to B to A
 
 

 
Question 39
An air track glider is attached to a spring. It is pulled back to position A and released from rest. It vibrates back and forth between positions A and E. Position C is the equilibrium position. A portion of a plot of its velocity as a function of time is shown. A positive velocity represents the glider moving to the right; a negative velocity represents a leftward motion.
 


Consider the section of the plot that is shaded red. This section represents the glider moving from position …
A to B to C
C to B to A
C to D to E
E to D to C
B to C to D
D to C to B
 
 

 
Question 40
An air track glider is attached to a spring. It is pulled back to position A and released from rest. It vibrates back and forth between positions A and E. Position C is the equilibrium position. A portion of a plot of its velocity as a function of time is shown. A positive velocity represents the glider moving to the right; a negative velocity represents a leftward motion.
 

 
Consider the section of the plot that is shaded red. This section represents the glider moving from position …
A to B to C
B to C to D
C to D to E
E to D to C
D to C to B
C to B to A
 
 

 
Question Group 11
Question 41
An air track glider is attached to a spring. It is pulled back to position A and released from rest. It vibrates back and forth between positions A and E. Position C is the equilibrium position. A portion of a plot of its velocity as a function of time is shown. A positive velocity represents the glider moving to the right; a negative velocity represents a leftward motion.

 
 
Consider the section of the plot that is shaded red. This section represents the glider moving from position …
A to B to C
C to B to A
C to D to E
E to D to C
B to C to D
D to C to B
 
 

 
Question 42
An air track glider is attached to a spring. It is pulled back to position A and released from rest. It vibrates back and forth between positions A and E. Position C is the equilibrium position. A portion of a plot of its velocity as a function of time is shown. A positive velocity represents the glider moving to the right; a negative velocity represents a leftward motion.

 

Consider the section of the plot that is shaded red. This section represents the glider moving from position …
A to B to C
B to C to D
C to D to E
E to D to C
D to C to B
C to B to A 
 
 

 
Question 43
An air track glider is attached to a spring. It is pulled back to position A and released from rest. It vibrates back and forth between positions A and E. Position C is the equilibrium position. A portion of a plot of its velocity as a function of time is shown. A positive velocity represents the glider moving to the right; a negative velocity represents a leftward motion.



Consider the section of the plot that is shaded red. This section represents the glider moving from position …
A to B to C
C to B to A
C to D to E
E to D to C
B to C to D
D to C to B
 
 

 
Question 44
An air track glider is attached to a spring. It is pulled back to position A and released from rest. It vibrates back and forth between positions A and E. Position C is the equilibrium position. A portion of a plot of its velocity as a function of time is shown. A positive velocity represents the glider moving to the right; a negative velocity represents a leftward motion.
 


Consider the section of the plot that is shaded red. This section represents the glider moving from position …
A to B to C
B to C to D
C to D to E
E to D to C
D to C to B
C to B to A
 

 
Question Group 12
Question 45
An air track glider is attached to a spring. It is pulled back to position A and released from rest. It vibrates back and forth between positions A and E. Position C is the equilibrium position. A portion of a plot of its velocity as a function of time is shown. A positive velocity represents the glider moving to the right; a negative velocity represents a leftward motion.


 
Consider the section of the plot that is shaded red. This section represents the glider moving from position …
A to B to C
C to B to A
C to D to E
E to D to C
B to C to D
D to C to B
 

 
Question 46
An air track glider is attached to a spring. It is pulled back to position A and released from rest. It vibrates back and forth between positions A and E. Position C is the equilibrium position. A portion of a plot of its velocity as a function of time is shown. A positive velocity represents the glider moving to the right; a negative velocity represents a leftward motion.
 


Consider the section of the plot that is shaded red. This section represents the glider moving from position …
A to B to C
B to C to D
C to D to E
E to D to C
D to C to B
C to B to A
 

 
Question 47
An air track glider is attached to a spring. It is pulled back to position A and released from rest. It vibrates back and forth between positions A and E. Position C is the equilibrium position. A portion of a plot of its velocity as a function of time is shown. A positive velocity represents the glider moving to the right; a negative velocity represents a leftward motion.
 

 
Consider the section of the plot that is shaded red. This section represents the glider moving from position …
A to B to C
C to B to A
C to D to E
E to D to C
B to C to D
D to C to B
 
 

 
Question 48
An air track glider is attached to a spring. It is pulled back to position A and released from rest. It vibrates back and forth between positions A and E. Position C is the equilibrium position. A portion of a plot of its velocity as a function of time is shown. A positive velocity represents the glider moving to the right; a negative velocity represents a leftward motion.


 
Consider the section of the plot that is shaded red. This section represents the glider moving from position …
A to B to C
B to C to D
C to D to E
E to D to C
D to C to B
C to B to A
 

 
Question Group 13
Question 49
An air track glider is attached to a spring. It is pulled back to position A and released from rest. It vibrates back and forth between positions A and E. Position C is the equilibrium position. A portion of a plot of its velocity as a function of time is shown. A positive velocity represents the glider moving to the right; a negative velocity represents a leftward motion.
 

 
Consider the section of the plot that is shaded red. This section represents the glider moving from position …
A to B to C
C to B to A
C to D to E
E to D to C
B to C to D
D to C to B
 
 

 
Question 50
An air track glider is attached to a spring. It is pulled back to position A and released from rest. It vibrates back and forth between positions A and E. Position C is the equilibrium position. A portion of a plot of its velocity as a function of time is shown. A positive velocity represents the glider moving to the right; a negative velocity represents a leftward motion.


 
Consider the section of the plot that is shaded red. This section represents the glider moving from position …
A to B to C
B to C to D
C to D to E
E to D to C
D to C to B
C to B to A
 
 

 
Question 51
An air track glider is attached to a spring. It is pulled back to position A and released from rest. It vibrates back and forth between positions A and E. Position C is the equilibrium position. A portion of a plot of its velocity as a function of time is shown. A positive velocity represents the glider moving to the right; a negative velocity represents a leftward motion.

 
 
Consider the section of the plot that is shaded red. This section represents the glider moving from position …
A to B to C
C to B to A
C to D to E
E to D to C
B to C to D
D to C to B
 
 

 
Question 52
An air track glider is attached to a spring. It is pulled back to position A and released from rest. It vibrates back and forth between positions A and E. Position C is the equilibrium position. A portion of a plot of its velocity as a function of time is shown. A positive velocity represents the glider moving to the right; a negative velocity represents a leftward motion.


 
Consider the section of the plot that is shaded red. This section represents the glider moving from position …
A to B to C
B to C to D
C to D to E
E to D to C
D to C to B
C to B to A
 
 

 
Question Group 14
Question 53
An air track glider is attached to a spring. It is pulled back to position A and released from rest. It vibrates back and forth between positions A and E. Position C is the equilibrium position. A portion of a plot of its velocity as a function of time is shown. A positive velocity represents the glider moving to the right; a negative velocity represents a leftward motion.
 

 
Consider the section of the plot that is shaded red. This section represents the glider moving from position …
A to B to C
C to B to A
C to D to E
E to D to C
B to C to D
D to C to B
 
 

 
Question 54
An air track glider is attached to a spring. It is pulled back to position A and released from rest. It vibrates back and forth between positions A and E. Position C is the equilibrium position. A portion of a plot of its velocity as a function of time is shown. A positive velocity represents the glider moving to the right; a negative velocity represents a leftward motion.


 
Consider the section of the plot that is shaded red. This section represents the glider moving from position …
A to B to C
B to C to D
C to D to E
E to D to C
D to C to B
C to B to A
 
 

 
Question 55
An air track glider is attached to a spring. It is pulled back to position A and released from rest. It vibrates back and forth between positions A and E. Position C is the equilibrium position. A portion of a plot of its velocity as a function of time is shown. A positive velocity represents the glider moving to the right; a negative velocity represents a leftward motion.


 
Consider the section of the plot that is shaded red. This section represents the glider moving from position …
A to B to C
C to B to A
C to D to E
E to D to C
B to C to D
D to C to B
 
 

 
Question 56
An air track glider is attached to a spring. It is pulled back to position A and released from rest. It vibrates back and forth between positions A and E. Position C is the equilibrium position. A portion of a plot of its velocity as a function of time is shown. A positive velocity represents the glider moving to the right; a negative velocity represents a leftward motion.
 

 
Consider the section of the plot that is shaded red. This section represents the glider moving from position …
A to B to C
B to C to D
C to D to E
E to D to C
D to C to B
C to B to A