PHYS 165 Module 6 Examination –
Physics: Portage Learning – 2026/2027
Academic Year
Total Questions: 74 | Time Allowed: 2 hours | Total Points: 100
Instructions: Select the best answer for each multiple-choice question. For
true/false questions, indicate whether the statement is true or false. For
calculation questions, show your work and provide the final answer with
appropriate units.
Question 1
What do we call motion that is repeated as a function of time?
A) Accelerated Motion
B) Periodic Motion
C) Free Fall Motion
D) Projectile Motion
Answer: B) Periodic Motion
Rationale: Periodic motion is defined as motion that exactly repeats itself at
regular time intervals. Accelerated motion refers to any motion with changing
velocity, free fall is motion under gravity alone, and projectile motion is two-
dimensional motion under gravity—none of these necessarily repeat as a
function of time.
Question 2
What is the time it takes to complete one full repetition or cycle of periodic
motion called?
A) Frequency
B) Period
,C) Amplitude
D) Wavelength
Answer: B) Period
Rationale: The period is the time required to complete one full cycle of
periodic motion. Frequency is the number of cycles per unit time (the inverse
of period). Amplitude is the maximum displacement from equilibrium, and
wavelength is a property of waves, not time-based cycles.
Question 3
For an object in simple harmonic motion, the restoring force is:
A) Constant regardless of displacement
B) Directly proportional to the object's distance from equilibrium
C) Inversely proportional to the object's distance from equilibrium
D) Proportional to the square of the displacement
Answer: B) Directly proportional to the object's distance from
equilibrium
Rationale: In simple harmonic motion, the restoring force follows Hooke's
Law: F = -kx, where the force is directly proportional to the displacement from
equilibrium and acts in the opposite direction. This linear relationship is the
defining characteristic of SHM.
Question 4
Which of the following objects in motion is exhibiting simple harmonic
motion?
A) A car accelerating on a highway
B) A pendulum swinging back and forth
C) A ball thrown vertically upward
D) A satellite orbiting Earth
Answer: B) A pendulum swinging back and forth
, Rationale: A pendulum swinging with small amplitudes exhibits simple
harmonic motion because the restoring force (gravity component) is
approximately proportional to the angular displacement. The other options
involve motion that does not have a restoring force proportional to
displacement.
Question 5
True or False: A scientist wants to make the period of a pendulum smaller.
One way to accomplish this would be to increase the acceleration due to
gravity.
Answer: True
Rationale: The period of a simple pendulum is given by T = 2π√(L/g).
Increasing the acceleration due to gravity (g) decreases the period.
Alternatively, decreasing the length (L) would also decrease the period.
Question 6
True or False: To decrease the period of an object bouncing on a spring, the
scientist could either increase the mass of the object or decrease the spring
constant.
Answer: False
Rationale: The period of a mass-spring system is T = 2π√(m/k). To decrease
the period, one must decrease the mass or increase the spring constant. The
statement suggests the opposite actions, making it false.
Question 7
The maximum displacement from the equilibrium position in simple harmonic
motion is called the:
A) Period
B) Frequency
Physics: Portage Learning – 2026/2027
Academic Year
Total Questions: 74 | Time Allowed: 2 hours | Total Points: 100
Instructions: Select the best answer for each multiple-choice question. For
true/false questions, indicate whether the statement is true or false. For
calculation questions, show your work and provide the final answer with
appropriate units.
Question 1
What do we call motion that is repeated as a function of time?
A) Accelerated Motion
B) Periodic Motion
C) Free Fall Motion
D) Projectile Motion
Answer: B) Periodic Motion
Rationale: Periodic motion is defined as motion that exactly repeats itself at
regular time intervals. Accelerated motion refers to any motion with changing
velocity, free fall is motion under gravity alone, and projectile motion is two-
dimensional motion under gravity—none of these necessarily repeat as a
function of time.
Question 2
What is the time it takes to complete one full repetition or cycle of periodic
motion called?
A) Frequency
B) Period
,C) Amplitude
D) Wavelength
Answer: B) Period
Rationale: The period is the time required to complete one full cycle of
periodic motion. Frequency is the number of cycles per unit time (the inverse
of period). Amplitude is the maximum displacement from equilibrium, and
wavelength is a property of waves, not time-based cycles.
Question 3
For an object in simple harmonic motion, the restoring force is:
A) Constant regardless of displacement
B) Directly proportional to the object's distance from equilibrium
C) Inversely proportional to the object's distance from equilibrium
D) Proportional to the square of the displacement
Answer: B) Directly proportional to the object's distance from
equilibrium
Rationale: In simple harmonic motion, the restoring force follows Hooke's
Law: F = -kx, where the force is directly proportional to the displacement from
equilibrium and acts in the opposite direction. This linear relationship is the
defining characteristic of SHM.
Question 4
Which of the following objects in motion is exhibiting simple harmonic
motion?
A) A car accelerating on a highway
B) A pendulum swinging back and forth
C) A ball thrown vertically upward
D) A satellite orbiting Earth
Answer: B) A pendulum swinging back and forth
, Rationale: A pendulum swinging with small amplitudes exhibits simple
harmonic motion because the restoring force (gravity component) is
approximately proportional to the angular displacement. The other options
involve motion that does not have a restoring force proportional to
displacement.
Question 5
True or False: A scientist wants to make the period of a pendulum smaller.
One way to accomplish this would be to increase the acceleration due to
gravity.
Answer: True
Rationale: The period of a simple pendulum is given by T = 2π√(L/g).
Increasing the acceleration due to gravity (g) decreases the period.
Alternatively, decreasing the length (L) would also decrease the period.
Question 6
True or False: To decrease the period of an object bouncing on a spring, the
scientist could either increase the mass of the object or decrease the spring
constant.
Answer: False
Rationale: The period of a mass-spring system is T = 2π√(m/k). To decrease
the period, one must decrease the mass or increase the spring constant. The
statement suggests the opposite actions, making it false.
Question 7
The maximum displacement from the equilibrium position in simple harmonic
motion is called the:
A) Period
B) Frequency
