Two simple harmonic motions x = a sin(ωt + δ) and y = a sin(ωt + δ + π/2) act on a particle simultaneously. The motion of the particle will be:
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Question

Two simple harmonic motions x = a sin(ωt + δ) and y = a sin(ωt + δ + π/2) act on a particle simultaneously. The motion of the particle will be:

G1 Physics · Accepted Answer

Step 1: Use φ = ωt + δ; then x = a sinφ and y = a cosφ. Step 2: Eliminating φ gives x² + y² = a²: a circle. Step 3: At φ = 0, the position is (0, a), and dx/dt = aω > 0, so motion is rightwards from the top. Step 4: Rightward movement from the top of a circle corresponds to clockwise rotation. Final answer: (B) circular clockwise.