Periodic vs. oscillatory motion

Click For Summary
Periodic motion refers to motion that repeats at regular intervals, while oscillatory motion is a specific type of periodic motion characterized by movement around a central point or mean position. Simple Harmonic Motion (S.H.M) is a form of oscillatory motion where acceleration is directly proportional to displacement. The discussion highlights confusion in distinguishing between oscillatory motion, periodic motion, and S.H.M, emphasizing their interrelatedness. Clarifying definitions and separating the concepts can help in understanding the distinctions better. Understanding these terms is crucial for accurately answering related questions.
abdsaber000
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
Homework Statement
To and fro motion of a particle about a mean position is called:
(oscillatory motion and periodic - oscillatory motion and S.H.M - harmonic motion and periodic)
Relevant Equations
none
I'm hesitated between the first and second choice
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Welcome to PF. :smile:

Does your textbook give definitions of each? If not, have you looked online (like at Wikipedia) to see what the common definitions are?
 
berkeman said:
Welcome to PF. :smile:

Does your textbook give definitions of each? If not, have you looked online (like at Wikipedia) to see what the common definitions are?
yeah my textbook gives it a definition, the defintion mentioned in the question the definition of the oscillatory motion , but i know that oscillatory motion is a special case of periodic motion . in addition that in S.H.M the acceleration is directly proportional to the displacement. but the S.H.M has also a mean position like the oscillatory. that's why i can't decide which is answer is correct.
 
abdsaber000 said:
(oscillatory motion and periodic - oscillatory motion and S.H.M - harmonic motion and periodic)
It is unclear where one choice ends and the next begins.
Please put each choice on a separate line.
If the above mixes in definitions of the terms, please make that clearer too.
abdsaber000 said:
S.H.M has also a mean position
I would think any regular oscillation has to have a mean position.
 
The book claims the answer is that all the magnitudes are the same because "the gravitational force on the penguin is the same". I'm having trouble understanding this. I thought the buoyant force was equal to the weight of the fluid displaced. Weight depends on mass which depends on density. Therefore, due to the differing densities the buoyant force will be different in each case? Is this incorrect?

Similar threads

Replies
25
Views
1K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 51 ·
2
Replies
51
Views
4K
Replies
6
Views
1K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
998
Replies
25
Views
2K
Replies
11
Views
1K
Replies
17
Views
1K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K