Physics 2012 JAMB Past Questions - Question 9: If a freely suspended object is pulled to one side and released,it oscillates about the points of suspension because the

Correct Answer

A

Explanation

A simple harmonic motion is oscillatory motion of a body whose acceleration is directed towards a fixed point and directly proportional to its displacement from that point.The freely suspended object oscillates about the point of suspension because of the restoring force acting on it. This phenomenon is described by Hooke's Law, which states that the force required to extend or compress a spring (or any elastic object) is directly proportional to the displacement from its equilibrium position. In other words, the farther you pull the object from its equilibrium position, the greater the force trying to pull it back towards that position.

When you pull a freely suspended object to one side and release it, it is displaced from its equilibrium position. The restoring force, which is proportional to the displacement, acts to return the object to its equilibrium position. This results in back-and-forth motion, known as oscillation or simple harmonic motion.

The key factors that determine the characteristics of the oscillation include the mass of the object, the stiffness of the support (which relates to how strong the restoring force is), and the initial displacement. These factors together govern the frequency, amplitude, and period of the oscillation.

In summary, the oscillation of a freely suspended object occurs because of the restoring force acting on it, trying to bring it back to its equilibrium position when it is displaced. This is a fundamental concept in physics and is observed in various systems, including simple pendulums and mass-spring systems.