Exam-style question
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What does the phase relationship in a simple harmonic motion (SHM) graph indicate about the displacement and velocity of the oscillating object?.
- A.Displacement and velocity are always in phase.
- B.Displacement and velocity are 90 degrees out of phase.
- C.Displacement leads velocity by 180 degrees.
- D.Displacement and velocity are independent of each other.
Model answer
What a good answer should say
- Displacement and velocity are 90 degrees out of phase.
Explanation
Why this works
The evidence shows that in SHM, the maximum displacement occurs when the velocity is zero, indicating they are 90 degrees out of phase. This implies that as the object reaches its maximum displacement, it momentarily stops before reversing direction, leading to the conclusion that displacement and velocity are not synchronized in their motion.
Common mistake
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