A simple harmonic oscillator has an amplitude and a time period seconds. Assuming the oscillation starts from its mean position, the time required by it to travel from to will be seconds, where is:
- A
- B
- C
- D
A simple harmonic oscillator has an amplitude and a time period seconds. Assuming the oscillation starts from its mean position, the time required by it to travel from to will be seconds, where is:
Correct answer:C
Standard Method
Given: Amplitude is , time period is , and the oscillator starts from the mean position.
Find: The value of if the time taken to travel from to is seconds.
For SHM starting from the mean position, we can use the reference-circle relation. When the particle moves from the extreme position to , we write
so
Hence the corresponding time interval satisfies
Using
we get
Therefore,
Since seconds,
Now compare with the given form
So,
Thus,
Therefore, the correct option is C.
Reference Circle Interpretation
Given: and displacement changes from to .
Find: The value of in .
At the extreme position, the SHM phase for cosine representation is . Moving to displacement means
This gives
The time for a phase change is
Now,
So,
Thus,
which gives
Therefore, the correct option is C. The solution also concludes .
Using the displacement from the mean position directly without noticing that the asked interval is from to . This changes the phase interval. Instead, measure the phase change from the extreme position for the required travel.
Confusing angular frequency with time period. Writing is incorrect because the correct relation is . Always include the factor .
Taking and choosing the wrong angle such as . For the first travel from the extreme position, the relevant smallest positive phase is .
Get unlimited AI-adaptive practice, mastery tracking, and an AI tutor that explains every step — free to start.