What is the difference between SHM and oscillatory motion?

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Answer 1 · 2018-02-08T16:47:27

Oscillatory motion means where,force acting ( $F$ $F$ ) varies with displacement( $x$ $x$ ) of the object by, $F \propto - x^{n}$ $F prop -x^n$

So, $F = - k x^{n}$ $F=-kx^n$ (where, $k$ $k$ is a constant)

That means in an oscillatory motion, the force acts against the direction of its displacement,and it is responsible for its typical motion.

Now,when $n = 1$ $n=1$ ,the equation becomes $F = - k x$ $F= -kx$

which represents, Simple Harmonic Motion.

So,we can define S.H.M as follows,

It is an oscillatory motion,where the force acts against the direction of displacement and is proportional to 1 degree power of displacement.