STANDARDPhysics-Oscillations

STANDARD Physics Simple Harmonic Motion MCQ Question

Type: MCQ-conceptual-Medium-Class 11

A particle is acted simultaneously by mutually perpendicular simple harmonic motions x = a cos ωt and y = a sin ωt. The trajectory of motion of the particle will be

A

an ellipse

B

a parabola

C

a circle

D

a straight line

Correct Answer

Option C

Detailed Explanation

Given x = a cos ωt and y = a sin ωt, squaring and adding these equations gives x² + y² = a²(cos²ωt + sin²ωt) = a². This is the equation of a circle, indicating the trajectory is circular.

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