A simple harmonic system is a system in which the restoring force acting on an object is directly proportional to its displacement from its equilibrium position. This results in a periodic motion, where the object oscillates back and forth around its equilibrium position.
To identify if a system is simple harmonic, you can check if the restoring force is directly proportional to the displacement from equilibrium. You can also look for a sinusoidal pattern in the motion of the object.
Yes, a system can have both simple harmonic and non-simple harmonic motion. For example, a pendulum has simple harmonic motion in small oscillations, but if the amplitude of oscillation is too large, it can exhibit non-simple harmonic motion.
Some examples of non-simple harmonic systems include a mass on a spring with friction, a pendulum with large amplitude oscillations, and a mass attached to a spring that is undergoing forced oscillations.
Understanding if a system is simple harmonic or not helps in predicting the behavior of the system and designing appropriate solutions. It also allows for the calculation of important parameters such as period, frequency, and amplitude of the motion.