Question

List some examples of Simple harmonic motion.

Answer 1

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

Complete answer:
A simple harmonic motion occurs when an object moves to and fro or back and forth along the same line (SHM). This motion is used to represent a variety of real-life scenarios in our daily lives.

Let's have a look at a few:
Swing: Swings in parks are a good illustration of simple harmonic motion. The simple harmonic motion is the swing's back and forth, repeating movements against the restoring force.

Pendulum: Simple harmonic motion is demonstrated by a pendulum swaying back and forth from its mean position.

Bungee Jumping: Simple harmonic motion is demonstrated by bungee jumping. The bungee cord's elasticity causes the jumper to oscillate up and down, causing SHM.

Cradle: The back and forth movement of the cradle is created by a single push and maintained by the SHM principle, putting the baby to sleep.

Hearing: Hearing is impossible to achieve without simple harmonic motion. The eardrum vibrates back and forth in response to sound waves entering our ears.

Note: Simple harmonic motion can be used to mimic a number of motions, but it is best exemplified by the oscillation of a mass on a spring when it is subjected to Hooke's law's linear elastic restoring force. The motion is sinusoidal in time and has a single resonance frequency. Simple harmonic motion serves as a foundation for employing Fourier analysis techniques to analyse more complex periodic motion.