Question

A ball is dropped from a certain height onto the floor and keep bouncing. Is the motion is simple
harmonic? Explain.

Answer 1

Explanation:

First way, in simple harmonic motion, the net force on the oscillator should always point towards the equilibrium position of the oscillation. This means that the net force is pointing in opposite directions in half of each oscillation. In a bouncing ball, the net force on the ball is always downward point to the ground, except during the point of contact with the ground, which is then pointing upwards.

Second way, the speed of the oscillator should gradually become slower until it reaches zero speed at the two extreme displacements. In a bouncing ball, the speed only becomes zero gradually at the top of the bounce. The speed changes abruptly at contact with the ground. Hence it is not simple harmonic.

Hope it's help you