Question

The equation of motion of a particle is x = a cos (at)2. The motion is

• A. Periodic but not oscillatory
• B. Periodic and oscillatory
• C. Oscillatory but not periodic
• D. Neither periodic nor oscillatory

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

Oscillatory but not periodic

Answer 2

Given $x = a\cos(\alpha t)^{2} = a\cos\alpha^{2}t^{2}$

As the equation of motion involves cosine function and $t^{2}$hence it is oscillatory but not periodic.