Question

The displacement of a particle in simple harmonic motion in one time period is
(a) A
(b) 2A
(c) 4A
(d)zero

Answer 1

Answer ⇒ Zero.  Option (d).

Explanation ⇒  One Time Period Means, the total time in which particle returns to the same point and in the same direction from where it is pushed.

Now, if Participle Returns to the same position from where it is started, this means, net displacement of the Particle is zero.

Thus, Option (d). is correct.

______________________________

But, its distance will not be zero.

If the Particle starts from the mean position then, it will move to one extreme, covering a distance A(Amplitude), and then returns to mean position, and hence covering a distance of A.

But direction is opposite, and one time period means that direction should be same, therefore, it will move in opposite extremes, and hence covers a distance A and then returns to the Means Covering A distance. In this case, direction is same as it was first pushed.

Therefore, Total distance = A + A + A + A

= 4A

__________________________