Start learning →

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_
Practise this question with Quill — AP Physics 1 →

Keep practising Oscillatory Motion and Waves

Browse all Oscillatory Motion and Waves questions for AP Physics 1, or explore more Physics topics.

Start a Oscillatory Motion and Waves lesson →
Related questions