Final answer:
The car's bounce after a bump is influenced by its mass (including load) and spring stiffness, typically resulting in a lower frequency when loaded. Stiff springs can reduce oscillation amplitude and are used in low cars to maintain ground clearance.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a car goes over a bump, the way it bounces is influenced by its suspension system which behaves like a simple harmonic oscillator. The nature of the bounce can be described by the car's suspension's oscillation frequency, which is determined by the stiffness of the springs and the mass of the car (including its load).
- (a) Higher frequency if loaded: This is incorrect as adding load to the car increases its mass, which would lower the frequency of oscillation according to the formula f = 1/(2π) * √(k/m), where 'k' is the spring constant and 'm' is the mass.
- (b) Lower frequency if loaded: This is correct. More mass (with a given spring constant) results in a lower frequency of oscillation.
- (c) Same frequency regardless of load: This is generally incorrect for a car's suspension system as the load changes the mass, thus affecting the frequency.
- (d) No relation to frequency: This is incorrect because the frequency of the car's bounce is directly related to the car's mass and the stiffness of its springs.
For a heavily loaded truck, the low-frequency bounce suggests a significant mass affecting the oscillation frequency. Stiff springs in modified low cars are often used to reduce the amplitude of oscillations and maintain adequate ground clearance.