What characterizes simple harmonic motion?

What characterizes simple harmonic motion?

• A. It involves constant force
• B. It involves periodic motion with restoring force
• C. It involves motion at constant speed
• D. It involves random motion

Answer: (B)

Simple harmonic motion is characterized by periodic motion where an object experiences a restoring force proportional to its displacement from an equilibrium position. This means that when the object is displaced from its rest position, a force acts upon it that pushes or pulls it back toward that equilibrium point. The essential features of this motion include the oscillation around an equilibrium position and the constant restoration of the object to that position, which is a defining quality of various oscillating systems, such as springs and pendulums. In contrast to this option, constant force would imply that the force does not change with position, which is not a requirement for simple harmonic motion. Motion at constant speed does not involve the periodic changes in direction or position characteristic of harmonic motion, and random motion lacks the defined periodicity and restoring forces that characterize simple harmonic systems. Thus, the nature of periodic motion, coupled with the direct relationship of the restoring force to the displacement, clearly identifies option B as the defining characteristic of simple harmonic motion.

Simple harmonic motion is characterized by periodic motion where an object experiences a restoring force proportional to its displacement from an equilibrium position. This means that when the object is displaced from its rest position, a force acts upon it that pushes or pulls it back toward that equilibrium point. The essential features of this motion include the oscillation around an equilibrium position and the constant restoration of the object to that position, which is a defining quality of various oscillating systems, such as springs and pendulums.

In contrast to this option, constant force would imply that the force does not change with position, which is not a requirement for simple harmonic motion. Motion at constant speed does not involve the periodic changes in direction or position characteristic of harmonic motion, and random motion lacks the defined periodicity and restoring forces that characterize simple harmonic systems. Thus, the nature of periodic motion, coupled with the direct relationship of the restoring force to the displacement, clearly identifies option B as the defining characteristic of simple harmonic motion.