Period and Frequency of a Vibrating Mass on a Spring - Questions
The Period and Frequency of a Vibrating Mass on a Spring Concept Builder is comprised of 60 questions. The questions are divided into 15 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:
- Basic Concepts: Question Groups 1 - 6 ... Identify the definition, unit, mathematical meaning, and variables affecting the frequency and period of a vibrating mass on a spring.
- Ranking Tasks: Question Groups 7-9 ... Given values of mass, spring constant, and spring length for three trials, rank the trials in order of their frequency or their period.
- Proportional Reasoning: Question Groups 10-15 ... Use proportional reasoning skills to predict the quantitative effect of changes in mass and the spring constant upon the frequency and period of a vibrating mass on a spring.
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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Period and Frequency of a Vibrating Mass on a Spring
Activity 1 Frequency and Period Concepts
Question Group 1
Question 1
A mass is vibating on a spring. Its frequency describes _____
a. how often it vibrates back and forth
b. how fast it moves from one extreme to the other
c. how far it moves from its resting position to an extreme position
And its period describes _____.
a. how many times it vibrates back and forth
b. how much time it takes to complete one vibrational cycle
c. how much distance it travels during one vibrational cycle
Question 2
A mass is vibating on a spring. Its frequency describes _____
a. how fast it moves from one extreme to the other
b. how far it moves from its resting position to an extreme position
c. how often it vibrates back and forth
And its period describes _____.
a. how much distance it travels during one vibrational cycle
b. how many times it vibrates back and forth
c. how much time it takes to complete one vibrational cycle
Question 3
A mass is vibating on a spring. Its frequency describes _____
a. how far it moves from its resting position to an extreme position
b. how often it vibrates back and forth
c. how fast it moves from one extreme to the other
And its period describes _____.
a. how much time it takes to complete one vibrational cycle
b. how much distance it travels during one vibrational cycle
c. how many times it vibrates back and forth
Question 4
A mass is vibating on a spring. Its frequency describes _____
a. how far it moves from its resting position to an extreme position
b. how fast it moves from one extreme to the other
c. how often it vibrates back and forth
And its period describes _____.
a. how much time it takes to complete one vibrational cycle
b. how many times it vibrates back and forth
c. how much distance it travels during one vibrational cycle
Question Group 2
Question 5
The unit of frequency is _____.
a. meter per second
b. cycles per second
c. joule per second
And the unit of period is _____.
a. meter
b. second
c. oscillations
Question 6
The unit of frequency is _____.
a. joule per second
b. meter per second
c. cycles per second
And the unit of period is _____.
a. second
b. oscillations
c. meter
Question 7
The unit of period is _____.
a. oscillations
b. meter
c. second
And the unit of frequency is _____.
a. joule per second
b. meter per second
c. cycles per second
Question 8
The unit of period is _____.
a. second
b. oscillations
c. meter
And the unit of frequency is _____.
a. joule per second
b. meter per second
c. cycles per second
Question Group 3
Question 9
A mass vibrating on a spring makes 20 complete vibrational cycles in 40 seconds. This means that _____.
a. the frequency is 2.0 Hertz and the period is 20 seconds
b. the frequency is 0.5 Hertz and the period is 2.0 seconds
c. the frequency is 20 seconds and the period is 2.0 Hertz
d. the frequency is 2.0 seconds and the period is 0.5 Hertz
Question 10
A mass vibrating on a spring makes 20 complete vibrational cycles in 80 seconds. This means that _____.
a. the frequency is 4.0 Hertz and the period is 20 seconds
b. the frequency is 0.25 Hertz and the period is 4.0 seconds
c. the frequency is 20 seconds and the period is 4.0 Hertz
d. the frequency is 4.0 seconds and the period is 0.25 Hertz
Question 11
A mass vibrating on a spring makes 20 complete vibrational cycles in 40 seconds. This means that _____.
a. the period is 2.0 Hertz and the frequency is 20 seconds
b. the period is 0.5 Hertz and the frequency is 2.0 seconds
c. the period is 20 seconds the and frequency is 2.0 Hertz
d. the period is 2.0 seconds and the frequency is 0.5 Hertz
Question 12
A mass vibrating on a spring makes 20 complete vibrational cycles in 80 seconds. This means that _____.
a. the period is 4.0 Hertz and the frequency is 80 seconds
b. the period is 4.0 Hertz and the frequency is 0.25 seconds
c. the period is 80 seconds and the frequency is 0.25 Hertz
d. the period is 4.0 seconds and the frequency is 0.25 Hertz
Question Group 4
Question 13
The period of a vibrating mass on a spring depends mostly upon _____. Choose two.
a. the mass of the vibrating object
b. the gravitational field constant (g)
c. the spring constant (k)
d. the length of the spring
Question 14
The period of a vibrating mass on a spring depends mostly upon _____. Choose two.
a. the gravitational field constant (g)
b. the mass of the vibrating object
c. the length of the spring
d. the spring constant (k)
Question 15
The period of a vibrating mass on a spring depends mostly upon _____. Choose two.
a. the length of the spring
b. the spring constant (k)
c. the gravitational field constant (g)
d. the mass of the vibrating object
Question 16
The period of a vibrating mass on a spring depends mostly upon _____. Choose two.
a. the spring constant (k)
b. the length of the spring
c. the mass of the vibrating object
d. the gravitational field constant (g)
Question Group 5
Question 17
A mass is vibrating on a spring. As the frequency of its vibrations increases, …
a. the period of vibration also increases.
b. the period of vibration decreases.
c. the period of vibration is unaffected.
d. the period of vibration increases at first; then it decreases.
Question 18
A mass is vibrating on a spring. As the frequency of its vibrations increases, …
a. the period of vibration increases at first; then it decreases.
b. the period of vibration also increases.
c. the period of vibration decreases.
d. the period of vibration is unaffected.
Question 19
A mass is vibrating on a spring. As the frequency of its vibrations increases, …
a. the period of vibration is unaffected.
b. the period of vibration increases at first; then it decreases.
c. the period of vibration also increases.
d. the period of vibration decreases.
Question 20
A mass is vibrating on a spring. As the frequency of its vibrations increases, …
a. the period of vibration decreases.
b. the period of vibration also increases.
c. the period of vibration increases at first; then it decreases.
d. the period of vibration is unaffected.
Question Group 6
Question 21
A mass is vibrating on a spring. Which one change is certain to increase the period of its vibrations?
a. Increase the mass of the vibrating object.
b. Decrease the length of the spring.
c. Increase the length of the spring.
d. Use a spring with a larger spring constant (k).
Question 22
A mass is vibrating on a spring. Which one change is certain to increase the period of its vibrations?
a. Increase the length of the spring.
b. Decrease the length of the spring.
c. Use a spring with a smaller spring constant (k).
d. Decrease the mass of the vibrating object.
Question 23
A mass is vibrating on a spring. Which one change is certain to decrease the period of its vibrations?
a. Decrease the length of the spring.
b. Use a spring with a smaller spring constant.
c. Decrease the mass of the vibrating object.
d. Increase the length of the spring.
Question 24
A mass is vibrating on a spring. Which one change is certain to decrease the period of its vibrations?
a. Use a spring with a larger spring constant.
b. Increase the mass of the vibrating object.
c. Increase the length of the spring.
d. Decrease the length of the spring.
Activity 2 Frequency and Period Ranking Tasks
Question Group 7
Question 25
Anna Litical is experimenting with an object vibrating up and down on the end of a spring. She is studying the effect of object mass (m), spring constant (k), and spring length (L) upon the period. The parameter values used for three trials are shown. Rank the three trials in order of their period (T).
Question 26
Anna Litical is experimenting with an object vibrating up and down on the end of a spring. She is studying the effect of object mass (m), spring constant (k), and spring length (L) upon the period. The parameter values used for three trials are shown. Rank the three trials in order of their period (T).
Question 27
Anna Litical is experimenting with an object vibrating up and down on the end of a spring. She is studying the effect of object mass (m), spring constant (k), and spring length (L) upon the period. The parameter values used for three trials are shown. Rank the three trials in order of their period (T).
Question 28
Anna Litical is experimenting with an object vibrating up and down on the end of a spring. She is studying the effect of object mass (m), spring constant (k), and spring length (L) upon the period. The parameter values used for three trials are shown. Rank the three trials in order of their period (T).
Question Group 8
Question 29
Anna Litical is experimenting with an object vibrating up and down on the end of a spring. She is studying the effect of object mass (m), spring constant (k), and spring length (L) upon the period. The parameter values used for three trials are shown. Rank the three trials in order of their period (T).
Question 30
Anna Litical is experimenting with an object vibrating up and down on the end of a spring. She is studying the effect of object mass (m), spring constant (k), and spring length (L) upon the period. The parameter values used for three trials are shown. Rank the three trials in order of their period (T).
Question 31
Anna Litical is experimenting with an object vibrating up and down on the end of a spring. She is studying the effect of object mass (m), spring constant (k), and spring length (L) upon the period. The parameter values used for three trials are shown. Rank the three trials in order of their period (T).
Question 32
Anna Litical is experimenting with an object vibrating up and down on the end of a spring. She is studying the effect of object mass (m), spring constant (k), and spring length (L) upon the period. The parameter values used for three trials are shown. Rank the three trials in order of their period (T).
Question Group 9
Question 33
Anna Litical is experimenting with an object vibrating up and down on the end of a spring. She is studying the effect of object mass (m), spring constant (k), and spring length (L) upon the period. The parameter values used for three trials are shown. Rank the three trials in order of their period (T).
Question 34
Anna Litical is experimenting with an object vibrating up and down on the end of a spring. She is studying the effect of object mass (m), spring constant (k), and spring length (L) upon the period. The parameter values used for three trials are shown. Rank the three trials in order of their period (T).
Question 35
Anna Litical is experimenting with an object vibrating up and down on the end of a spring. She is studying the effect of object mass (m), spring constant (k), and spring length (L) upon the period. The parameter values used for three trials are shown. Rank the three trials in order of their period (T).
Question 36
Anna Litical is experimenting with an object vibrating up and down on the end of a spring. She is studying the effect of object mass (m), spring constant (k), and spring length (L) upon the period. The parameter values used for three trials are shown. Rank the three trials in order of their period (T).
Activity 3 Proportional Reasoning
Question Group 10
Question 37
Noah Formula is conducting an experimental study of the
period of a vibrating mass on a spring. If Noah
increases the mass value by a factor of two, then he can expect the
period of its vibrations to …
a. increase by a factor of 2.
b. increase by a factor of 4.
c. increase by a factor of the square root of 2.
d. decrease by a factor of 2.
e. decrease by a factor of 4.
f. decrease by a factor of the square root of 2.
g. not be affected by the mass change.
Question 38
Noah Formula is conducting an experimental study of the
period of a vibrating mass on a spring. If Noah
increases the mass value by a factor of two, then he can expect the
period of its vibrations to …
a. increase by a factor of 2.
b. decrease by a factor of 2.
c. increase by a factor of the square root of 2.
d. decrease by a factor of the square root of 2.
e. increase by a factor of 4.
f. decrease by a factor of 4.
g. not be affected by the mass change.
Question 39
Noah Formula is conducting an experimental study of the
period of a vibrating mass on a spring. If Noah
decreases the mass value by a factor of two, then he can expect the
period of its vibrations to …
a. increase by a factor of 2.
b. increase by a factor of 4.
c. increase by a factor of the square root of 2.
d. decrease by a factor of 2.
e. decrease by a factor of 4.
f. decrease by a factor of the square root of 2.
g. not be affected by the mass change.
Question 40
Noah Formula is conducting an experimental study of the
period of a vibrating mass on a spring. If Noah
decreases the mass value by a factor of two, then he can expect the
period of its vibrations to …
a. increase by a factor of 2.
b. decrease by a factor of 2.
c. increase by a factor of the square root of 2.
d. decrease by a factor of the square root of 2.
e. increase by a factor of 4.
f. decrease by a factor of 4.
g. not be affected by the mass change.
Question Group 11
Question 41
Noah Formula is conducting an experimental study of the
period of a vibrating mass on a spring. If Noah
increases the mass value by a factor of three, then he can expect the
period of its vibrations to …
a. increase by a factor of 3.
b. increase by a factor of 9.
c. increase by a factor of the square root of 3.
d. decrease by a factor of 3.
e. decrease by a factor of 9.
f. decrease by a factor of the square root of 3.
g. not be affected by the mass change.
Question 42
Noah Formula is conducting an experimental study of the
period of a vibrating mass on a spring. If Noah
increases the mass value by a factor of three, then he can expect the
period of its vibrations to …
a. increase by a factor of 3.
b. decrease by a factor of 3.
c. increase by a factor of the square root of 3.
d. decrease by a factor of the square root of 3.
e. increase by a factor of 9.
f. decrease by a factor of 9.
g. not be affected by the mass change.
Question 43
Noah Formula is conducting an experimental study of the
period of a vibrating mass on a spring. If Noah
decreases the mass value by a factor of three, then he can expect the
period of its vibrations to …
a. increase by a factor of 3.
b. increase by a factor of 9.
c. increase by a factor of the square root of 3.
d. decrease by a factor of 3.
e. decrease by a factor of 9.
f. decrease by a factor of the square root of 3.
g. not be affected by the mass change.
Question 44
Noah Formula is conducting an experimental study of the
period of a vibrating mass on a spring. If Noah
decreases the mass value by a factor of three, then he can expect the
period of its vibrations to …
a. increase by a factor of 3.
b. decrease by a factor of 3.
c. increase by a factor of the square root of 3.
d. decrease by a factor of the square root of 3.
e. increase by a factor of 9.
f. decrease by a factor of 9.
g. not be affected by the mass change.
Question Group 12
Question 45
Noah Formula is conducting an experimental study of the
frequency of a vibrating mass on a spring. If Noah
increases the mass value by a factor of two, then he can expect the
frequency of its vibrations to …
a. increase by a factor of 2.
b. increase by a factor of 4.
c. increase by a factor of the square root of 2.
d. decrease by a factor of 2.
e. decrease by a factor of 4.
f. decrease by a factor of the square root of 2.
g. not be affected by the mass change.
Question 46
Noah Formula is conducting an experimental study of the
frequency of a vibrating mass on a spring. If Noah
increases the mass value by a factor of two, then he can expect the
frequency of its vibrations to …
a. increase by a factor of 2.
b. decrease by a factor of 2.
c. increase by a factor of the square root of 2.
d. decrease by a factor of the square root of 2.
e. increase by a factor of 4.
f. decrease by a factor of 4.
g. not be affected by the mass change.
Question 47
Noah Formula is conducting an experimental study of the
frequency of a vibrating mass on a spring. If Noah
decreases the mass value by a factor of two, then he can expect the
frequency of its vibrations to …
a. increase by a factor of 2.
b. increase by a factor of 4.
c. increase by a factor of the square root of 2.
d. decrease by a factor of 2.
e. decrease by a factor of 4.
f. decrease by a factor of the square root of 2.
g. not be affected by the mass change.
Question 48
Noah Formula is conducting an experimental study of the
frequency of a vibrating mass on a spring. If Noah
decreases the mass value by a factor of two, then he can expect the
frequency of its vibrations to …
a. increase by a factor of 2.
b. decrease by a factor of 2.
c. increase by a factor of the square root of 2.
d. decrease by a factor of the square root of 2.
e. increase by a factor of 4.
f. decrease by a factor of 4.
g. not be affected by the mass change.
Question Group 13
Question 49
Noah Formula is conducting an experimental study of the
period of a vibrating mass on a spring. If Noah uses a spring that has
a spring constant that is two times greater, then he can expect the
period of its vibrations to …
a. increase by a factor of 3.
b. increase by a factor of 9.
c. increase by a factor of the square root of 3.
d. decrease by a factor of 3.
e. decrease by a factor of 9.
f. decrease by a factor of the square root of 3.
g. not be affected by the spring constant change.
Question 50
Noah Formula is conducting an experimental study of the
period of a vibrating mass on a spring. If Noah uses a spring that has
a spring constant that is two times greater, then he can expect the
period of its vibrations to …
a. increase by a factor of 3.
b. decrease by a factor of 3.
c. increase by a factor of the square root of 3.
d. decrease by a factor of the square root of 3.
e. increase by a factor of 9.
f. decrease by a factor of 9.
g. not be affected by the spring constant change.
Question 51
Noah Formula is conducting an experimental study of the
period of a vibrating mass on a spring. If Noah uses a spring that has
a spring constant that is two times smaller (one-half the value), then he can expect the
period of its vibrations to …
a. increase by a factor of 3.
b. increase by a factor of 9.
c. increase by a factor of the square root of 3.
d. decrease by a factor of 3.
e. decrease by a factor of 9.
f. decrease by a factor of the square root of 3.
g. not be affected by the spring constant change.
Question 52
Noah Formula is conducting an experimental study of the
period of a vibrating mass on a spring. If Noah uses a spring that has
a spring constant that is two times smaller (one-half the value), then he can expect the
period of its vibrations to …
a. increase by a factor of 3.
b. decrease by a factor of 3.
c. increase by a factor of the square root of 3.
d. decrease by a factor of the square root of 3.
e. increase by a factor of 9.
f. decrease by a factor of 9.
g. not be affected by the spring constant change.
Question Group 14
Question 53
Noah Formula is conducting an experimental study of the
period of a vibrating mass on a spring. If Noah uses a spring that has
a spring constant that is three times greater, then he can expect the
period of its vibrations to …
a. increase by a factor of 3.
b. increase by a factor of 9.
c. increase by a factor of the square root of 3.
d. decrease by a factor of 3.
e. decrease by a factor of 9.
f. decrease by a factor of the square root of 3.
g. not be affected by the spring constant change.
Question 54
Noah Formula is conducting an experimental study of the
period of a vibrating mass on a spring. If Noah uses a spring that has
a spring constant that is three times greater, then he can expect the
period of its vibrations to …
a. increase by a factor of 3.
b. decrease by a factor of 3.
c. increase by a factor of the square root of 3.
d. decrease by a factor of the square root of 3.
e. increase by a factor of 9.
f. decrease by a factor of 9.
g. not be affected by the spring constant change.
Question 55
Noah Formula is conducting an experimental study of the
period of a vibrating mass on a spring. If Noah uses a spring that has
a spring constant that is three times smaller (1/3
rd the value), then he can expect the
period of its vibrations to …
a. increase by a factor of 3.
b. increase by a factor of 9.
c. increase by a factor of the square root of 3.
d. decrease by a factor of 3.
e. decrease by a factor of 9.
f. decrease by a factor of the square root of 3.
g. not be affected by the spring constant change.
Question 56
Noah Formula is conducting an experimental study of the
period of a vibrating mass on a spring. If Noah uses a spring that has
a spring constant that is three times smaller (1/3
rd the value), then he can expect the
period of its vibrations to …
a. increase by a factor of 3.
b. decrease by a factor of 3.
c. increase by a factor of the square root of 3.
d. decrease by a factor of the square root of 3.
e. increase by a factor of 9.
f. decrease by a factor of 9.
g. not be affected by the spring constant change.
Question Group 15
Question 57
Noah Formula is conducting an experimental study of the
frequency of a vibrating mass on a spring. If Noah uses a spring that has
a spring constant that is three times greater, then he can expect the
frequency of its vibrations to …
a. increase by a factor of 3.
b. increase by a factor of 9.
c. increase by a factor of the square root of 3.
d. decrease by a factor of 3.
e. decrease by a factor of 9.
f. decrease by a factor of the square root of 3.
g. not be affected by the spring constant change.
Question 58
Noah Formula is conducting an experimental study of the
frequency of a vibrating mass on a spring. If Noah uses a spring that has
a spring constant that is three times greater, then he can expect the
frequency of its vibrations to …
a. increase by a factor of 3.
b. decrease by a factor of 3.
c. increase by a factor of the square root of 3.
d. decrease by a factor of the square root of 3.
e. increase by a factor of 9.
f. decrease by a factor of 9.
g. not be affected by the spring constant change.
Question 59
Noah Formula is conducting an experimental study of the
frequency of a vibrating mass on a spring. If Noah uses a spring that has
a spring constant that is three times smaller (1/3
rd the value), then he can expect the
frequency of its vibrations to …
a. increase by a factor of 3.
b. increase by a factor of 9.
c. increase by a factor of the square root of 3.
d. decrease by a factor of 3.
e. decrease by a factor of 9.
f. decrease by a factor of the square root of 3.
g. not be affected by the spring constant change.
Question 60
Noah Formula is conducting an experimental study of the
frequency of a vibrating mass on a spring. If Noah uses a spring that has
a spring constant that is three times smaller (1/3
rd the value), then he can expect the
frequency of its vibrations to …
a. increase by a factor of 3.
b. decrease by a factor of 3.
c. increase by a factor of the square root of 3.
d. decrease by a factor of the square root of 3.
e. increase by a factor of 9.
f. decrease by a factor of 9.
g. not be affected by the spring constant change.