Answer: Simple harmonic motion.
- A Uniform circular motion
- B Simple harmonic motion
- C Non-uniform acceleration only
- D Projectile motion
Correct answer: B. Simple harmonic motion
Explanation: The foot of the perpendicular from a uniformly rotating particle onto any diameter moves back and forth as x = A cos(ωt), which is exactly simple harmonic motion. This is the geometric basis of SHM.
In SHM, displacement and velocity are 90° out of phase (v is maximum when x=0, and zero when x is extreme), while acceleration is always exactly opposite in sign to displacement, consistent with a = −ω²x.
Concept context
Simple harmonic motion, spring-mass, pendulum, energy in SHM, and resonance.