Motion of a bouncing ball – Rankers Physics
Topic: Oscillation
Subtopic: Equation of SHM

Motion of a bouncing ball

Assertion (A): Motion of a ball bouncing elastically in vertical direction on a smooth horizontal floor is a periodic motion but not an SHM.
Reason (R): Motion is SHM when restoring force is proportional to displacement from mean position.
 
Both (A) & (R) are true and the (R) is the correct explanation of the (A)
Both (A) & (R) are true but the (R) is not the correct explanation of the (A)
(A) is true but (R) is false
Both (A) and (R) are false

Solution:

Periodic motion repeats over time. SHM requires a restoring force proportional to displacement \(F = -kx\). A bouncing ball experiences gravitational force \(F=mg\) (constant) and impulsive forces upon impact, not a linear restoring force. Hence, it's periodic but not SHM, and the reason correctly defines SHM.

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