Question

What is the difference between SHM and oscillatory motion?

Answer 1

Oscillatory motion means where,force acting (`F`) varies with displacement(`x`) of the object by, `F prop -x^n`

So, `F=-kx^n` (where, `k` is a constant)

That means in an oscillatory motion, the force acts against the direction of its displacement,and it is responsible for its typical motion.

Now,when `n=1`,the equation becomes `F= -kx`

which represents, Simple Harmonic Motion.

So,we can define S.H.M as follows,

It is an oscillatory motion,where the force acts against the direction of displacement and is proportional to 1 degree power of displacement.