Two particles are in SHM with the same amplitude A and angular frequency ω. At t = 0, one is at x = +A/2 and the other at x = -A/2. Both move in the same direction.
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Question

Two particles are in SHM with the same amplitude A and angular frequency ω. At t = 0, one is at x = +A/2 and the other at x = −A/2. Both move in the same direction.

G1 Physics · Accepted Answer

At t=0 the positions are +A/2 and −A/2 and both velocities have the same sign. Their phases can therefore be chosen as π/6 and −π/6, giving phase difference π/3. Solving equality of displacements gives the first collision after a phase advance π/2, so t=π/(2ω). Correct answers: A, C.