Making an oscillating object stiffer, that is raising its force constant, makes the period:
AInfinite
BMuch smaller
CMuch larger
DUnchanged
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: B. Much smaller
1. The force constant measures how hard the system pulls back per unit of displacement.
2. A stiffer spring pulls back harder for the same displacement.
3. A very stiff object has a large force constant, which causes the system to have a smaller period.
4. Smaller period means the oscillation is faster.
_Source: OpenStax College Physics for AP(R) Courses 2e (CC BY 4.0), Ch 16 'Oscillatory Motion and Waves', sections 16.1-16.11_
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