JEE Main · PhysicsHard

A tunnel is bored through the earth along a chord that does not pass through the center. A particle is dropped into the tunnel. What is the nature of the motion of the particle?

  1. A.Simple harmonic motion
  2. B.Periodic but not simple harmonic
  3. C.Uniformly accelerated motion
  4. D.The particle stops at the center
Show correct answer & step-by-step solution

Correct answer: ASimple harmonic motion

Solution

The gravitational force is . The component along the tunnel is , where is the displacement from the midpoint of the chord. Since , the motion is simple harmonic.

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