Name: Simple Harmonic Motion and Harmonic Oscillator
Uploaded: 2019-07-19
Duration: 9 min 10 s
Description: A harmonic oscillator is a system that, when displaced from its equilibrium position, experiences a restoring force F proportional to the displacement x.

Question

What is meant by simple harmonic oscillation? Give examples and explain why every simple harmonic motion is a periodic motion whereas the converse need not be true.

Accepted Answer

Simple harmonic motion is the motion in which the object moves to and fro along a line.

For example, oscillations of a pendulum as shown in figure.

Simple harmonic motion is a special type of periodic motion where the restoring force on the moving object is directly proportional to the object's displacement magnitude and acts towards the object's equilibrium position.

Mathematically, $\vec{F} \propto - \vec{x} \vec{a} \propto - \vec{x}$

Periodic motion is motion repeated in equal intervals of time.

For example, swing, rocking chairs, and bouncy balls are periodic motions.

There is no equilibrium position and also no restoring force in periodic motion.

Therefore, not all periodic motion's meet the definition of simple harmonic motion.

Differences can be tabulated as,

Simple Harmonic motion Periodic motion

1) The displacement of the object is always in the opposite direction of the restoring force. 1) The displacement of the object may or may not be in the direction of the restoring force.

2) It is always oscillatory. 2) The periodic motion may or may not be oscillatory.

3) Examples, motion of a pendulum, motion of a spring, etc. 3) Examples, motion of the hands of a clock, the motion of the wheels of a car, etc.

Therefore, every oscillatory motion is periodic but all periodic motions are not oscillatory.

What is meant by simple harmonic oscillation? Give examples and explain why every simple harmonic motion is a periodic motion whereas the converse need not be true.

Important Questions on Oscillations

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