A bouncing ball returns to the same height each time. Is this an example of simple harmonic motion? Explain your answer.
simple harmonic motion is a type of periodic motion where the restoring force is directly proportional to the displacement, and this motion is about equilibrium position.
Bouncing call – force isn’t proportional to displacement; absence of the equilibrium position
please upload a detail answer of this question because this is not enough to understand
No, a bouncing ball returning to the same height each time is not an example of simple harmonic motion.
Simple harmonic motion is a type of motion where an object moves back and forth in a sinusoidal pattern about an equilibrium position, and the force acting on the object is directly proportional to the displacement but in the opposite direction. In simple harmonic motion, the object oscillates around the equilibrium position with a constant period and amplitude.
In the case of a bouncing ball, the motion is not sinusoidal. When the ball is thrown against a surface, it loses some of its energy due to various factors like air resistance, friction, and deformation of the ball. As a result, the ball doesn't return to the same height with each bounce. The successive bounces of the ball progressively become lower due to the dissipation of energy. Therefore, the motion of a bouncing ball does not meet the criteria of simple harmonic motion.
Yes, a bouncing ball returning to the same height each time is an example of simple harmonic motion. Simple harmonic motion is a type of periodic motion in which an object oscillates back and forth around a stable equilibrium position. There are a few characteristics that define simple harmonic motion:
1. Restoring force: Simple harmonic motion occurs when there is a restoring force acting on the object that is directly proportional to its displacement from the equilibrium position. In the case of a bouncing ball, the restoring force is the force exerted by gravity when the ball is displaced from its equilibrium height.
2. Periodic motion: Simple harmonic motion is characterized by repetitive motion that occurs over a fixed time interval. In the case of a bouncing ball, it repeatedly moves up and down, returning to the same height after each bounce.
3. Stable equilibrium: Simple harmonic motion involves an object oscillating around a stable equilibrium position. For a bouncing ball, this equilibrium position is the height at which the ball bounces. When the ball is displaced from this height, the restoring force brings it back to the equilibrium position.
In summary, a bouncing ball that returns to the same height each time exhibits simple harmonic motion because it satisfies the criteria of having a restoring force, periodic motion, and a stable equilibrium position.