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Proven Pendulum MCQs for NEET,JEE & CUET: Score-Boosting Practice

Pendulum MCQs form a crucial and recurring part of physics examinations, especially in topics related to oscillatory motion and simple harmonic motion (SHM). These questions are designed not just to test formula recall, but to evaluate a student’s conceptual understanding of forces, energy, motion, and reference frames. A simple pendulum may appear elementary at first glance, but the variety of conditions under which it is analyzed makes it one of the most conceptually rich systems in classical mechanics.

Pendulum MCQs commonly explore how the time period of oscillation depends on parameters such as length, acceleration due to gravity, and small angular displacement. A key assumption behind most pendulum-based SHM problems is that the amplitude of oscillation is small, allowing the restoring force to be directly proportional to displacement. Many questions deliberately test this assumption by altering conditions like amplitude, bob structure, or surrounding environment.

Another major category of pendulum MCQs involves non-inertial frames of reference, such as pendulums inside accelerating trains, lifts, or rotating systems. These pendulum MCQs questions require students to apply effective gravity concepts rather than directly using standard formulas. Similarly, problems involving pendulums on the Moon, in deep mines, or in artificial satellites test understanding of how gravity influences oscillatory motion.

Energy-based pendulum MCQs questions are also common. These focus on the conversion between kinetic and potential energy, conservation of mechanical energy, and the effect of damping forces like air resistance. Some advanced pendulum MCQs include real-life modifications such as hollow bobs filled with water, draining fluids, or elastic supports, which subtly change the system’s center of mass or effective length.

Because pendulum MCQs often involve conceptual traps, such as assuming mass affects the time period or overlooking small-angle conditions, they demand careful reading and strong fundamentals. Mastery of these pendulum MCQs questions strengthens analytical thinking and prepares students to handle more complex oscillation and wave motion problems with confidence.

Table of Contents

Pendulum MCQs with Answers-

1. The bob of a simple pendulum is a hollow sphere filled with water. If a hole is made at its bottom so that water emerges slowly, the time period of oscillations

A. will go on increasing
B. will go on decreasing
C. will remain unchanged
D. will first increase and then decrease
Answer: D

2. The necessary condition for the bob of a pendulum to execute SHM is

A. length of pendulum should be small
B. mass of bob should be small
C. amplitude of oscillations should be small
D. velocity of bob should be small
Answer: C

3. Choose the correct statement

A. Time period of a simple pendulum depends on amplitude
B. Time shown by a spring watch varies with acceleration due to gravity
C. Time period varies linearly with length
D. Graph between length and time period is a parabola
Answer: D

4. The time period of a simple pendulum on the Moon

A. increases
B. decreases
C. remains unchanged
D. becomes infinite
Answer: A

5. For motion of a simple pendulum to be SHM

A. amplitude must be very small
B. amplitude must be very large
C. independent of amplitude
D. none of these
Answer: D

6. Time period of a simple pendulum of length 9.8 m is

A. 0.159 s
B. 3.14 s
C. 5.6 s
D. 6.28 s
Answer: D

7. Tension in the string of a pendulum at angle θ with speed v is

A. mv²/L
B. mg cosθ + mv²/L
C. mg cosθ − mv²/L
D. mg cosθ
Answer: B

8. A bob filled with mercury is completely drained. The time period

A. remains unchanged
B. decreases
C. increases
D. increases then decreases
Answer: D

9. Percentage change in time period when amplitude of second’s pendulum is reduced by 50%

A. 75%
B. 25%
C. 0%
D. 50%
Answer: C

10. Graph between T² and L for a simple pendulum is

A. straight line
B. parabola
C. circle
D. none
Answer: A

11. A swinging pendulum has maximum acceleration at

A. bottom
B. extremities
C. every point
D. nowhere
Answer: B

12. Pendulum in an accelerating train has its time period

A. decreased
B. increased
C. unchanged
D. infinite
Answer: A

13. To prove SHM of a pendulum, it is necessary that

A. length is small
B. mass is small
C. amplitude is small
D. g is small
Answer: C

14. Elongation of spring rotating with angular velocity ω is

A. k − mω²l₀ / mω²
B. mω²l₀ / (k + mω²)
C. mω²l₀ / (k − mω²)
D. (k + mω²l₀)/mω²
Answer: C

15. Restoring force of a spring is represented by

A. Graph (a)
B. Graph (b)
C. Graph (c)
D. Graph (d)
Answer: D

16. When a spring is elongated within elastic limit

A. work is done by spring
B. potential energy is stored
C. energy is lost
D. energy remains constant
Answer: B

17. Steel is preferred over copper for springs because

A. cheaper
B. higher Young’s modulus
C. lower Young’s modulus
D. less oxidation
Answer: B

18. Time period of a 3 kg mass on spring (k = 48 N/m)

A. π/4
B. π/2
C. 2π
D. π/8
Answer: B

19. If length of pendulum is quadrupled, new period becomes

A. 16 s
B. 12 s
C. 8 s
D. 4 s
Answer: D

20. Effective spring constant when two of four equal parts are in parallel

A. 4K
B. 16K
C. 8K
D. 6K
Answer: C

21. Spring balance measures correct mass when

A. used anywhere
B. never correct
C. g is same as calibration location
D. only at equator
Answer: C

22. Lift scale reading drops then returns to normal → lift

A. moved upward uniformly
B. moved downward uniformly
C. stopped while moving down
D. stopped while moving up
Answer: D

23. Maximum KE of spring–mass system (k=16 N/m, x=5 cm)

A. 2×10⁻² J
B. 4×10⁻² J
C. 8×10⁻² J
D. 16×10⁻² J
Answer: A

24. To double frequency of string, tension must be

A. eight times
B. four times
C. twice
D. half
Answer: B

25. Effect of damping on amplitude A and period T

A. increases both
B. decreases A, increases T
C. increases A
D. decreases both
Answer: B

26. At resonance in driven oscillator

A. frequency = 2f₀
B. power transfer minimum
C. driving frequency = natural frequency
D. damping minimum
Answer: C

27. Q-factor is

A. energy stored / initial energy
B. energy dissipated / initial energy
C. energy stored per cycle / energy dissipated per cycle
D. inverse of above
Answer: C

28. Velocity vs position graph for damped oscillation is

A. straight line
B. circle
C. ellipse
D. spiral
Answer: D

29. Resonance curve becomes sharp when

A. applied force small
B. quality factor small
C. damping force small
D. restoring force small
Answer: C

30. Force F = −kx − bẋ represents

A. SHM
B. linear oscillator
C. damped oscillator
D. forced oscillator
Answer: C

31. Resonance is an example of

A. tuning fork
B. forced vibration
C. free vibration
D. damped vibration
Answer: B

32. Quantity NOT affected by damping

A. angular frequency
B. time period
C. initial phase
D. amplitude
Answer: C

33. Units of damping constant (force ∝ velocity)

A. kg m s⁻¹
B. kg m s⁻²
C. kg s⁻¹
D. kg s
 Answer: C

pendulum mcqs

Conclusion on Pendulum MCQs

Pendulum MCQs are among the most high-yield and concept-dense questions in physics exams. They effectively combine mechanics, energy principles, and mathematical reasoning into compact problems that can significantly boost scores when approached correctly. A strong grasp of pendulum MCQs concepts allowsaspirants to solve questions quickly using logic rather than lengthy calculations.

One of the biggest advantages of mastering pendulum MCQs is that many questions are predictable in structure. Examining how time period changes with length, gravity, or acceleration repeatedly appears across different competitive exams. Once aspirants internalize these relationships, they can solve multiple variations of questions with ease.

Additionally, pendulum MCQs based serve as a foundation for understanding broader topics such as resonance, damping, coupled oscillations, and wave motion. The insights gained here extend far beyond a single chapter. Aspirants who understand pendulum behavior also perform better in spring–mass systems and forced oscillation problems.

From an exam strategy perspective, pendulum MCQs are excellent scoring opportunities because they often rely on conceptual elimination rather than numerical computation. Recognizing incorrect assumptions quickly can save valuable time during exams.

In conclusion, consistent practice of pendulum MCQs not only improves accuracy and speed but also deepens overall physical intuition. For aaspirants aiming for top ranks in competitive examinations, mastering these questions is not optional—it is essential.

 

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