JAMB - Physics (1997 - No. 6)
Which of the following with respect to a body performing simple harmonic motion are in phase?
displacement and velocity of the body
displacement and force on the body
velocity and acceleration of the body
force acting on the body and the acceleration
Explanation
In simple harmonic motion (SHM), the force acting on the body is directly proportional to its displacement from the equilibrium position and is in the opposite direction (according to Hooke's Law). This force results in an acceleration of the body, which is also directly proportional to its displacement but in the opposite direction. When the displacement of the body is maximum (either positive or negative), the force acting on it is also maximum, leading to maximum acceleration. Similarly, when the displacement is zero (at the equilibrium position), the force and acceleration are also zero. Thus, the force acting on the body and its acceleration are in phase, meaning they reach their maximum and minimum values simultaneously during the oscillatory motion.
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