Two simple harmonic motions, as shown below, are at right angles. They are combined to form lissajous figures. $x(t) = A \sin (at + \delta)$ $y(t) = B \sin (bt)$ Identify the correct match below :
Lissajous figures are graphical representations formed by combining two simple harmonic motions (SHMs) that are perpendicular to each other. The resulting shape depends critically on the amplitudes ($A, B$), frequencies ($a, b$), and phase difference ($\delta$) of the two SHMs.
The given equations are:
To form an ellipse, specific relationships between the parameters ($A, B, a, b, \delta$) must hold. We examine the conditions that lead to an ellipse.
Consider the case where the angular frequencies are equal ($a=b$) and the phase difference is $\delta = \pi/2$. The amplitudes are $A$ and $B$, with $A \ne B$. Substituting these into the general equations:
From the equations in Step 1, isolate the trigonometric terms:
Apply the fundamental trigonometric identity $\sin^2(\theta) + \cos^2(\theta) = 1$ (where $\theta = at$):
$ \left(\frac{y(t)}{B}\right)^2 + \left(\frac{x(t)}{A}\right)^2 = \sin^2(at) + \cos^2(at) $
$ \left(\frac{x}{A}\right)^2 + \left(\frac{y}{B}\right)^2 = 1 $
The equation $\left(\frac{x}{A}\right)^2 + \left(\frac{y}{B}\right)^2 = 1$ represents an ellipse centered at the origin. The semi-axes are $A$ and $B$. The condition $A \ne B$ ensures it is a non-circular ellipse.
When the frequencies are equal ($a=b$), the Lissajous figure depends on the phase difference ($\delta$) and amplitude ratio ($A:B$):
| Phase Difference ($\delta$) | Amplitude Ratio ($A:B$) | Figure |
|---|---|---|
| $0$ or $\pi$ | Any ($A \ne 0, B \ne 0$) | Straight Line |
| $\pi/2$ | $A = B$ | Circle |
| $\pi/2$ | $A \ne B$ | Ellipse |
Therefore, the condition $A \ne B, a = b, \delta = \pi/2$ correctly describes an ellipse.
The motion of a mass on a spring, with spring constant K is as shown in figure.
The equation of motion is given by $x(t) = A\sin\omega t+B\cos\omega t$ with $\omega=\sqrt{\frac{K}{m}}$.
Suppose that at time $t = 0$, the position of mass is $x(0)$ and velocity $v(0)$, then its displacement can also be represented as $x(t) = C\cos(\omega t-\phi)$, where $C$ and $\phi$ are

A piston of mass $M$ is hung from a massless spring whose restoring force law goes as $F= -kx^3$, where $k$ is the spring constant of appropriate dimension. The piston separates the vertical chamber into two parts, where the bottom part is filled with 'n' moles of an ideal gas. An external work is done on the gas isothermally (at a constant temperature $T$) with the help of a heating filament (with negligible volume) mounted in lower part of the chamber, so that the piston goes up from a height $L_0$ to $L_1$, the total energy delivered by the filament is : (Assume spring to be in its natural length before heating)