Vertical Springs: Velocity and Force - Questions
The Vertical Springs: Velocity and Force Concept Builder is comprised of 52 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.
- Free-Body Diagrams: Question Groups 9 - 14 ... Identify the free-body diagrams for various locations in the path of a vibrating mass on a vertical 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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Vertical Springs: Velocity and Force Analysis
Activity 1: Speed Analysis
Question Group 1
Question 1
A spring is attached to a ceiling hook. A mass is attached to the spring and pulled down to position A. It is released from rest and vibrates back and forth between positions A and C. Position B is the equilibrium position. At what position does the mass have the greatest speed?
a. Position A only.
b. Position B only.
c. Position C only.
d. Positions A and C.
Question 2
A spring is attached to a ceiling hook. A mass is attached to the spring and pulled down to position A. It is released from rest and vibrates back and forth between positions A and C. Position B is the equilibrium position. At what position does the mass have the greatest speed?
a. Positions A and C.
b. Position A only.
c. Position B only.
d. Position C only.
Question 3
A spring is attached to a ceiling hook. A mass is attached to the spring and pulled down to position A. It is released from rest and vibrates back and forth between positions A and C. Position B is the equilibrium position. At what position does the mass have the greatest speed?
a. Position A only.
b. Position C only.
c. Positions A and C.
d. Position B only.
Question Group 2
Question 4
A spring is attached to a ceiling hook. A mass is attached to the spring and pulled down to position A. It is released from rest and vibrates back and forth between positions A and C. Position B is the equilibrium position. At what position does the mass have a speed of 0 m/s?
a. Position A only.
b. Position B only.
c. Position C only.
d. Positions A and C.
Question 5
A spring is attached to a ceiling hook. A mass is attached to the spring and pulled down to position A. It is released from rest and vibrates back and forth between positions A and C. Position B is the equilibrium position. At what position does the mass have a speed of 0 m/s?
a. Positions A and C.
b. Position A only.
c. Position B only.
d. Position C only.
Question 6
A spring is attached to a ceiling hook. A mass is attached to the spring and pulled down to position A. It is released from rest and vibrates back and forth between positions A and C. Position B is the equilibrium position. At what position does the mass have a speed of 0 m/s?
a. Position A only.
b. Position C only.
c. Positions A and C.
d. Position B only.
Question Group 3
Question 7
A spring is attached to a ceiling hook. A mass is attached to the spring and pulled down to position A. It is released from rest and vibrates back and forth between positions A and C. Position B is the equilibrium position. In what manner does the speed change as the mass moves from A to B?
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 8
A spring is attached to a ceiling hook. A mass is attached to the spring and pulled down to position A. It is released from rest and vibrates back and forth between positions A and C. Position B is the equilibrium position. In what manner does the speed change as the mass moves from A to B?
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 9
A spring is attached to a ceiling hook. A mass is attached to the spring and pulled down to position A. It is released from rest and vibrates back and forth between positions A and C. Position B is the equilibrium position. In what manner does the speed change as the mass moves from C to B?
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
A spring is attached to a ceiling hook. A mass is attached to the spring and pulled down to position A. It is released from rest and vibrates back and forth between positions A and C. Position B is the equilibrium position. In what manner does the speed change as the mass moves from C to B?
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 11
A spring is attached to a ceiling hook. A mass is attached to the spring and pulled down to position A. It is released from rest and vibrates back and forth between positions A and C. Position B is the equilibrium position. In what manner does the speed change as the mass moves from B 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 12
A spring is attached to a ceiling hook. A mass is attached to the spring and pulled down to position A. It is released from rest and vibrates back and forth between positions A and C. Position B is the equilibrium position. In what manner does the speed change as the mass moves from B 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 13
A spring is attached to a ceiling hook. A mass is attached to the spring and pulled down to position A. It is released from rest and vibrates back and forth between positions A and C. Position B is the equilibrium position. In what manner does the speed change as the mass moves from B 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 14
A spring is attached to a ceiling hook. A mass is attached to the spring and pulled down to position A. It is released from rest and vibrates back and forth between positions A and C. Position B is the equilibrium position. In what manner does the speed change as the mass moves from B 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.
Activity 2: Force Analysis
Question Group 5
Question 15
A spring is attached to a ceiling hook. A mass is attached to the spring and pulled down to position A. It is released from rest and vibrates back and forth between positions A and C. Position B is the equilibrium position. At what position does the mass experience the greatest net force?
a. Position A only.
b. Position B only.
c. Position C only.
d. Positions A and C.
Question 16
A spring is attached to a ceiling hook. A mass is attached to the spring and pulled down to position A. It is released from rest and vibrates back and forth between positions A and C. Position B is the equilibrium position. At what position does the mass experience the greatest net force?
a. Positions A and C.
b. Position A only.
c. Position B only.
d. Position C only.
Question 17
A spring is attached to a ceiling hook. A mass is attached to the spring and pulled down to position A. It is released from rest and vibrates back and forth between positions A and C. Position B is the equilibrium position. At what position does the mass experience the greatest net force?
a. Position A only.
b. Position C only.
c. Positions A and C.
d. Position B only.
Question Group 6
Question 18
A spring is attached to a ceiling hook. A mass is attached to the spring and pulled down to position A. It is released from rest and vibrates back and forth between positions A and C. Position B is the equilibrium position. At what position does the mass experience a net force of 0 N?
a. Position A only.
b. Position B only.
c. Position C only.
d. Positions A and C.
Question 19
A spring is attached to a ceiling hook. A mass is attached to the spring and pulled down to position A. It is released from rest and vibrates back and forth between positions A and C. Position B is the equilibrium position. At what position does the mass experience a net force of 0 N
a. Positions A and C.
b. Position A only.
c. Position B only.
d. Position C only.
Question 20
A spring is attached to a ceiling hook. A mass is attached to the spring and pulled down to position A. It is released from rest and vibrates back and forth between positions A and C. Position B is the equilibrium position. At what position does the mass experience a net force of 0 N
a. Position A only.
b. Position C only.
c. Positions A and C.
d. Position B only.
Question Group 7
Question 21
A spring is attached to a ceiling hook. A mass is attached to the spring and pulled down to position A. It is released from rest and vibrates back and forth between positions A and C. Position B is the equilibrium position. In what manner does the net force change as the mass moves from A to B?
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 22
A spring is attached to a ceiling hook. A mass is attached to the spring and pulled down to position A. It is released from rest and vibrates back and forth between positions A and C. Position B is the equilibrium position. In what manner does the net force change as the mass moves from A to B?
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 23
A spring is attached to a ceiling hook. A mass is attached to the spring and pulled down to position A. It is released from rest and vibrates back and forth between positions A and C. Position B is the equilibrium position. In what manner does the net force change as the mass moves from C to B?
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 24
A spring is attached to a ceiling hook. A mass is attached to the spring and pulled down to position A. It is released from rest and vibrates back and forth between positions A and C. Position B is the equilibrium position. In what manner does the net force change as the mass moves from C to B?
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 25
A spring is attached to a ceiling hook. A mass is attached to the spring and pulled down to position A. It is released from rest and vibrates back and forth between positions A and C. Position B is the equilibrium position. In what manner does the net force change as the mass moves from B 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 26
A spring is attached to a ceiling hook. A mass is attached to the spring and pulled down to position A. It is released from rest and vibrates back and forth between positions A and C. Position B is the equilibrium position. In what manner does the net force change as the mass moves from B 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 27
A spring is attached to a ceiling hook. A mass is attached to the spring and pulled down to position A. It is released from rest and vibrates back and forth between positions A and C. Position B is the equilibrium position. In what manner does the net force change as the mass moves from B 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
A spring is attached to a ceiling hook. A mass is attached to the spring and pulled down to position A. It is released from rest and vibrates back and forth between positions A and C. Position B is the equilibrium position. In what manner does the net force change as the mass moves from B 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.
Activity 3: Free-Body Diagrams
Question Group 9
Question 29
A spring is attached to a ceiling hook as shown. A mass is attached to the spring and pulled down to position A. It is released from rest and vibrates back and forth between positions A and C. Position B is the equilibrium position. Which free-body diagram represents the type, relative size and direction of the forces acting on the mass at location A?
Question 30
A spring is attached to a ceiling hook as shown. A mass is attached to the spring and pulled down to position A. It is released from rest and vibrates back and forth between positions A and C. Position B is the equilibrium position. Which free-body diagram represents the type, relative size and direction of the forces acting on the mass at location A?
Question 31
A spring is attached to a ceiling hook as shown. A mass is attached to the spring and pulled down to position A. It is released from rest and vibrates back and forth between positions A and C. Position B is the equilibrium position. Which free-body diagram represents the type, relative size and direction of the forces acting on the mass at location A?
Question 32
A spring is attached to a ceiling hook as shown. A mass is attached to the spring and pulled down to position A. It is released from rest and vibrates back and forth between positions A and C. Position B is the equilibrium position. Which free-body diagram represents the type, relative size and direction of the forces acting on the mass at location A?
Question Group 10
Question 33
A spring is attached to a ceiling hook as shown. A mass is attached to the spring and pulled down to position A. It is released from rest and vibrates back and forth between positions A and C. Position B is the equilibrium position. Which free-body diagram represents the type, relative size and direction of the forces acting on the mass at location B?
Question 34
A spring is attached to a ceiling hook as shown. A mass is attached to the spring and pulled down to position A. It is released from rest and vibrates back and forth between positions A and C. Position B is the equilibrium position. Which free-body diagram represents the type, relative size and direction of the forces acting on the mass at location B?
Question 35
A spring is attached to a ceiling hook as shown. A mass is attached to the spring and pulled down to position A. It is released from rest and vibrates back and forth between positions A and C. Position B is the equilibrium position. Which free-body diagram represents the type, relative size and direction of the forces acting on the mass at location B?
Question 36
A spring is attached to a ceiling hook as shown. A mass is attached to the spring and pulled down to position A. It is released from rest and vibrates back and forth between positions A and C. Position B is the equilibrium position. Which free-body diagram represents the type, relative size and direction of the forces acting on the mass at location B?
Question Group 11
Question 37
A spring is attached to a ceiling hook as shown. A mass is attached to the spring and pulled down to position A. It is released from rest and vibrates back and forth between positions A and C. Position B is the equilibrium position. Which free-body diagram represents the type, relative size and direction of the forces acting on the mass at location C?
Question 38
A spring is attached to a ceiling hook as shown. A mass is attached to the spring and pulled down to position A. It is released from rest and vibrates back and forth between positions A and C. Position B is the equilibrium position. Which free-body diagram represents the type, relative size and direction of the forces acting on the mass at location C?
Question 39
A spring is attached to a ceiling hook as shown. A mass is attached to the spring and pulled down to position A. It is released from rest and vibrates back and forth between positions A and C. Position B is the equilibrium position. Which free-body diagram represents the type, relative size and direction of the forces acting on the mass at location C?
Question 40
A spring is attached to a ceiling hook as shown. A mass is attached to the spring and pulled down to position A. It is released from rest and vibrates back and forth between positions A and C. Position B is the equilibrium position. Which free-body diagram represents the type, relative size and direction of the forces acting on the mass at location C?
Question Group 12
Question 41
A spring is attached to a ceiling hook as shown. A mass is attached to the spring and pulled down to position A. It is released from rest and vibrates back and forth between positions A and C. Position B is the equilibrium position. What can be concluded about the
magnitude of the gravity and spring forces as the mass moves from A to B?
The force of gravity …
a. increases
b. decreases
c. remains the same
The spring force …
a. increases
b. decreases
c. remains the same
Question 42
A spring is attached to a ceiling hook as shown. A mass is attached to the spring and pulled down to position A. It is released from rest and vibrates back and forth between positions A and C. Position B is the equilibrium position. What can be concluded about the
magnitude of the gravity and spring forces as the mass moves from A to B?
The force of gravity …
a. remains the same
b. increases
c. decreases
The spring force …
a. remains the same
b. increases
c. decreases
Question 43
A spring is attached to a ceiling hook as shown. A mass is attached to the spring and pulled down to position A. It is released from rest and vibrates back and forth between positions A and C. Position B is the equilibrium position. What can be concluded about the
magnitude of the gravity and spring forces as the mass moves from C to B?
The force of gravity …
a. increases
b. decreases
c. remains the same
The spring force …
a. increases
b. decreases
c. remains the same
Question 44
A spring is attached to a ceiling hook as shown. A mass is attached to the spring and pulled down to position A. It is released from rest and vibrates back and forth between positions A and C. Position B is the equilibrium position. What can be concluded about the
magnitude of the gravity and spring forces as the mass moves from C to B?
The force of gravity …
a. remains the same
b. increases
c. decreases
The spring force …
a. remains the same
b. increases
c. decreases
Question Group 13
Question 45
A spring is attached to a ceiling hook as shown. A mass is attached to the spring and pulled down to position A. It is released from rest and vibrates back and forth between positions A and C. Position B is the equilibrium position. What can be concluded about the
magnitude of the gravity and spring forces as the mass moves from B to A?
The force of gravity …
a. increases
b. decreases
c. remains the same
The spring force …
a. increases
b. decreases
c. remains the same
Question 46
A spring is attached to a ceiling hook as shown. A mass is attached to the spring and pulled down to position A. It is released from rest and vibrates back and forth between positions A and C. Position B is the equilibrium position. What can be concluded about the
magnitude of the gravity and spring forces as the mass moves from B to A?
The force of gravity …
a. remains the same
b. increases
c. decreases
The spring force …
a. remains the same
b. increases
c. decreases
Question 47
A spring is attached to a ceiling hook as shown. A mass is attached to the spring and pulled down to position A. It is released from rest and vibrates back and forth between positions A and C. Position B is the equilibrium position. What can be concluded about the
magnitude of the gravity and spring forces as the mass moves from B to C?
The force of gravity …
a. increases
b. decreases
c. remains the same
The spring force …
a. increases
b. decreases
c. remains the same
Question 48
A spring is attached to a ceiling hook as shown. A mass is attached to the spring and pulled down to position A. It is released from rest and vibrates back and forth between positions A and C. Position B is the equilibrium position. What can be concluded about the
magnitude of the gravity and spring forces as the mass moves from B to C?
The force of gravity …
a. remains the same
b. increases
c. decreases
The spring force …
a. remains the same
b. increases
c. decreases
Question Group 14
Question 49
A spring is attached to a ceiling hook as shown. A mass is attached to the spring and pulled down to position A. It is released from rest and vibrates back and forth between positions A and C. Position B is the equilibrium position. What can be concluded about the
direction of the gravity and spring forces as the mass moves from A to C?
The force of gravity …
a. Always up
b. Always down
c. First down; then up
d. First up; then down
The spring force …
a. Always up
b. Always down
c. First down; then up
d. First up; then down
Question 50
A spring is attached to a ceiling hook as shown. A mass is attached to the spring and pulled down to position A. It is released from rest and vibrates back and forth between positions A and C. Position B is the equilibrium position. What can be concluded about the
direction of the gravity and spring forces as the mass moves from A to C?
The force of gravity …
a. Always up
b. First up; then down
c. Always down
d. First down; then up
The spring force …
a. Always up
b. First up; then down
c. Always down
d. First down; then up
Question 51
A spring is attached to a ceiling hook as shown. A mass is attached to the spring and pulled down to position A. It is released from rest and vibrates back and forth between positions A and C. Position B is the equilibrium position. What can be concluded about the
direction of the gravity and spring forces as the mass moves from C to A?
The force of gravity …
a. Always up
b. Always down
c. First down; then up
d. First up; then down
The spring force …
a. Always up
b. Always down
c. First down; then up
d. First up; then down
Question 52
A spring is attached to a ceiling hook as shown. A mass is attached to the spring and pulled down to position A. It is released from rest and vibrates back and forth between positions A and C. Position B is the equilibrium position. What can be concluded about the
direction of the gravity and spring forces as the mass moves from C to A?
The force of gravity …
a. Always up
b. First up; then down
c. Always down
d. First down; then up
The spring force …
a. Always up
b. First up; then down
c. Always down
d. First down; then up