Equation of SHM: Practice Problem & Solution

Solution Explained:

To solve this problem, we apply the core principles of Equation of SHM. Understanding the underlying formula is key to arriving at the correct answer below:

The equation of motion is \(x = A \sin\left(\frac{\pi t}{6}\right)\). At \(t = 3\text{ s}\), \(x = A\). At \(t = 5\text{ s}\), \(x = A \sin(5\pi/6) = 0.5A\). Total distance is \(A\) (from 0 to \(A\)) plus \(0.5A\) (returning from \(A\) to \(0.5A\)), which is \(1.5A = \frac{3A}{2}\).