The time period of a simple harmonic oscillator is T=2 π √ k m. Measured value of mass (m) of the object is 10 g with an accuracy of 10 mg and time…
JEE Main 2026 — Physics Waves & Oscillations
2026mcqmedium
The time period of a simple harmonic oscillator is T=2πmk. Measured value of mass (m) of the object is 10 g with an accuracy of 10 mg and time for 50 oscillations of the spring is found to be 60 s using a watch of 2 s resolution. Percentage error in determination of spring constant (k) is ____ %.
Official previous-year question
Held on 28 Jan 2026 · Verified 6 Jul 2026.
Options
A
7.60
B
3.35
C
3.43
D
6.76
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Solution
The given formula for time period is
T=2πmk.
Squaring both sides, we get T2=4π2mk, which gives k=T24π2m.
The relative error in k is given by kΔk=mΔm+2TΔT.
Given: m=10 g, Δm=10 mg =0.01 g.
Total time for n=50 oscillations is t=60 s with resolution Δt=2 s.
Since T=t/n, the relative error in T is the same as in t: TΔT=tΔt.