Physics · Oscillations of a spring: restoring force and force constant

An object with a mass is suspended from an elastic spring with a spring constant

An object with a mass \( \mathrm{M} \) is suspended from an elastic spring with a spring constant k. The object oscillates with period T. If the mass of oscillations is quadrupled, how it will change the period of oscillations?

  • A. The period is increased by factor two
  • B. The period is increased by factor four
  • C. The period is decreased by factor two
  • D. The period remains the same

Step-by-step solution

The period of a mass-spring system is T = 2π√(M/k). If mass M is quadrupled, the new period T' = 2π√(4M/k) = 2π·2√(M/k) = 2T. Thus the period increases by a factor of 2.
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