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  • Which of the following examples represent (nearly) simple harmonic motion and which represent periodic but not simple harmonic motion?

    (a) the rotation of earth about its axis.

    (b) motion of an oscillating mercury column in a U-tube.

    (c) motion of a ball bearing inside a smooth curved bowl, when released from a point slightly above the lower most point.

    (d) general vibrations of a polyatomic molecule about its equilibrium position.

Which of the following examples represen | Class 11 Physics Chapter Oscillations, Oscillations NCERT Solutions

Q2.

Which of the following examples represent (nearly) simple harmonic motion and which represent periodic but not simple harmonic motion?

(a) the rotation of earth about its axis.

(b) motion of an oscillating mercury column in a U-tube.

(c) motion of a ball bearing inside a smooth curved bowl, when released from a point slightly above the lower most point.

(d) general vibrations of a polyatomic molecule about its equilibrium position.

(b) and (c) are SHMs

(a) and (d) are periodic, but not SHMs

 

(a) During its rotation about its axis, earth comes to the same position again and again in equal intervals of time. Hence, it is a periodic motion. However, this motion is not simple harmonic. This is because earth does not have a to and fro motion about its axis.

(b) An oscillating mercury column in a U-tube is simple harmonic. This is because the mercury moves to and fro on the same path, about the fixed position, with a certain period of time.

(c) The ball moves to and fro about the lowermost point of the bowl when released. Also, the ball comes back to its initial position in the same period of time, again and again. Hence, its motion is periodic as well as simple harmonic.

(d) A polyatomic molecule has many natural frequencies of oscillation. Its vibration is the superposition of individual simple harmonic motions of a number of different molecules. Hence, it is not simple harmonic, but periodic.

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Important Questions & Answers

Why is this answer important for exams?

This question is important because it tests key concepts from the NCERT syllabus and is frequently asked in CBSE exams.

Which NCERT concept is used in this question?

This question is based on core NCERT concepts explained in the chapter and should be revised thoroughly before exams.

What is the correct answer to: Which of the following examples represent (nearly) simple harmonic motion and which represent periodic but not simple harmonic motion? (a) the rotation of earth about its axis. (b) motion of an oscillating mercury column in a U-tube. (c) motion of a ball bearing inside a smooth curved bowl, when released from a point slightly above the lower most point. (d) general vibrations of a polyatomic molecule about its equilibrium position.?

(b) and (c) are SHMs

(a) and (d) are periodic, but not SHMs

 

(a) During its rotation about its axis, earth comes to the same position again and again in equal intervals of time. Hence, it is a periodic mot...

How do you solve Which of the following examples represent (nearly) simple harmonic motion and which represent periodic but not simple harmonic motion? (a) the rotation of earth about its axis. (b) motion of an oscillating mercury column in a U-tube. (c) motion of a ball bearing inside a smooth curved bowl, when released from a point slightly above the lower most point. (d) general vibrations of a polyatomic molecule about its equilibrium position. step by step?

Step-by-step explanation:
• (b) and (c) are SHMs

• (a) and (d) are periodic, but not SHMs

•  

What common mistakes should be avoided in this question?

Students often lose marks by skipping steps, writing incomplete explanations, or misunderstanding keywords used in the question.

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