Why is absolutely pure simple harmonic motion not possible?

Vedclass pdf generator app on play store
Vedclass iOS app on app store
(N/A) Absolutely pure simple harmonic motion $(SHM)$ is not possible in reality because it requires the absence of all dissipative forces,such as friction,air resistance,and viscosity.
In any physical system,these dissipative forces are always present,which cause the energy of the oscillating system to dissipate over time.
This leads to damping,where the amplitude of the oscillation gradually decreases,eventually bringing the system to rest.
Therefore,$SHM$ is an idealization,while real-world systems exhibit damped harmonic motion.

Explore More

Similar Questions

$A$ particle is performing simple harmonic motion. If the oscillations are damped oscillations,then the angular frequency is given by:

The amplitude of a damped oscillator decreases to $0.9$ times its original magnitude in $5 \ s$. In another $10 \ s$ it will decrease to $\alpha$ times its original magnitude,where $\alpha$ equals

$A$ block of mass $0.1\, kg$ is connected to an elastic spring of spring constant $640\, Nm^{-1}$ and oscillates in a damping medium of damping constant $10^{-2}\, kg\,s^{-1}$. The system dissipates its energy gradually. The time taken for its mechanical energy of vibration to drop to half of its initial value is closest to ..... $s$.

$A$ spring-mass system executes damped harmonic oscillations given by the equation $y = A e^{-\frac{bt}{2m}} \sin(\omega' t + \phi)$,where the symbols have their usual meanings. If a $2 \ kg$ mass $(m)$ is attached to a spring of force constant $(K) = 1250 \ N/m$,the period of the oscillation is $(\pi / 12) \ s$. The damping constant $b$ has the value ..... $kg/s$.

$A$ block of mass $1 \, kg$ attached to a spring is made to oscillate with an initial amplitude of $12 \, cm$. After $2 \, minutes$ the amplitude decreases to $6 \, cm$. Determine the value of the damping constant $b$ for this motion. (Take $\ln 2 = 0.693$)

Vedclass Products

For Students

Vedclass Test Series

Mock tests in real JEE/NEET style with performance analysis. 5-day free trial.

Start Free Trial
For Teachers

Exam Paper Generator

Generate Set A/B/C/D exam papers from 7.5L+ questions in 2 minutes. 3 chapters free.

Try Free
For Institutes

Online Exam Module

Live online exams with unlimited students, 360° analytics & white-label branding.

See Demo