Question

A particle is in linear simple harmonic motion between two points, A and B, 10 cm apart. Take the direction from A to B as the positive direction and give the signs of velocity, acceleration and force on the particle when it is

(a) at the end A,

(b) at the end B,

(c) at the mid-point of AB going towards A,

(d) at 2 cm away from B going towards A,

(e) at 3 cm away from A going towards B, and

(f) at 4 cm away from B going towards A.

Answer 1

Answer:

(a) Zero, Positive, Positive

(b) Zero, Negative, Negative

(c) Negative, Zero, Zero

(d) Negative, Negative, Negative

(e) Zero, Positive, Positive

(f) Negative, Negative, Negative

Explanation:

The given situation is shown in the following figure. Points A and B are the two end points, with AB = 10 cm. O is the midpoint of the path.

A particle is in linear simple harmonic motion between the end points

(a) At the extreme point A, the particle is at rest momentarily. Hence, its velocity is zero at this point.

Its acceleration is positive as it is directed along AO.

Force is also positive in this case as the particle is directed rightward.

(b) At the extreme point B, the particle is at rest momentarily. Hence, its velocity is zero at this point.

Its acceleration is negative as it is directed along B.

Force is also negative in this case as the particle is directed leftward.

(c)

The particle is executing a simple harmonic motion. O is the mean position of the particle. Its velocity at the mean position O is the maximum. The value for velocity is negative as the particle is directed leftward. The acceleration and force of a particle executing SHM is zero at the mean position.

(d)

The particle is moving toward point O from the end B. This direction of motion is opposite to the conventional positive direction, which is from A to B. Hence, the particle’s velocity and acceleration, and the force on it are all negative.

(e)

The particle is moving toward point O from the end A. This direction of motion is from A to B, which is the conventional positive direction. Hence, the values for velocity, acceleration, and force are all positive.

(f)

This case is similar to the one given in (d).