Question

A particle starting from extreme position performs S.H.M. The phase difference of the particle between any two successive mean positions is ______.

Options

• \[\frac{\pi^{c}}{4}\]

• \[\frac{\pi^{c}}{2}\]

• \[\pi^{c}\]

• \[2\pi^{c}\]

Answer 1

A particle starting from extreme position performs S.H.M. The phase difference of the particle between any two successive mean positions is \[\pi^{c}\].

Explanation:

In S.H.M. starting from extreme position: \[x=A\cos(\omega t)\]

Mean position (x = 0) occurs at phases \[\frac{\pi}{2}\] and \[\frac{3\pi}{2}\] successively.

Phase difference = \[\frac{3\pi}{2}-\frac{\pi}{2}=\pi^c\]

This makes sense as two successive mean positions are half a cycle apart.