The choices are:
a) a ball bouncing on the floor
b) a child swinging on a swing
c) a piano wire that has been struck
d) a car's radio antenna waving back and forth
2007-02-27 05:55:54 · 4 answers · asked by jack 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
Simple harmonic motion occurs when there is a so-called 'restoring force' which is proportional to displacement from equilibrium.
For example, a spring pulls harder the further you stretch it according to F=-kx.
However in a), gravity acts with a constant force F=-mg, and doesn't fall into the category of simple harmonic motion.
2007-02-27 06:36:48 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
a), because of the sudden change at the bounce. All the others have motions that can be represented by a sine wave, which smoothly and gradually changes all the time.
2007-02-27 14:22:25 · answer #2 · answered by campbelp2002 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a) this is an example of a parabolic motion
2007-02-27 14:00:16 · answer #3 · answered by gjmb1960 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
c)a piano wire that has been struck
It is restricted unlike the others
2007-02-27 14:05:13 · answer #4 · answered by jk_prop 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋