Question

A wooden block is suspended from a spring. Its period for vertical oscillations is T. In a second experiment the same apparatus is laid on a horizontal frictionless table with the free end of the spring fixed to a nail on the table.The block is pulled a little so as to stretch the spring and then released.The mass will

• A. Execute simple harmonic motion with period T
• B. Execute simple harmonic motion with period T/2
• C. Execute simple harmonic motion with period 2T
• D. Not execute simple harmonic motion

Answer 1

The correct option is A Execute simple harmonic motion with period T

The expression for the time period for vertical as well as horizontal oscillations is the same as mg = kx
$T=2\pi \sqrt{\frac{m}{k}}$
Where m is the mass of the block and k is the force constant of the spring.
Hence the correct Choice is (a).