Question

Differentiate between periodic and non periodic motions by giving an example of each.

Answer 1

Hint:Periodic motion is the type of motion which repeats its path after a specific time interval. Non periodic motion is a random kind of motion and it not necessarily repeats its path and can move at any path and not a designated one. We will use different examples to explain the difference between these motions.

Complete answer:
Motion can be defined as the change in position of an object with respect to time. Motion can be categorized in several ways, one of which is periodic and non periodic. Periodic motion is the motion which repeats its path after a certain time interval and continues to move in the same path in the same way. When an object comes to its initial position after a certain time interval, then the motion is said to be periodic.

 Periodic motion has a certain time interval, and one can guess the position of an object at a given time because it follows certain laws of the periodic system. For example, the motion of the earth is periodic motion. Its time interval is 365.25 days and hence we can say for certain where its position will be in the future provided no external force hinders the motion.

Non periodic motion does not repeat itself with time. It is more random, and the object may or may not reach its initial position, and the path can be different too. One may not be able to say for certain where an object’s next position will be, as it is random. For example, the motion of vehicles is non periodic.

Note:All oscillatory motions are periodic motions. For example, the oscillation of a simple pendulum is an example of periodic motion as it repeats its path in a regular path for a specific time period and hence it is a periodic motion. All oscillatory motions are periodic but not all periodic motions are oscillatory.