Wanna know what is the difference between periodic and non-periodic motion? If yes, then you are at the right place at the very right time. There are so many ways to categorize motion. Out of all, one of them is based on its periodicity.
The primary difference between periodic and non-periodic motion is Periodic motion repeats itself in equal intervals of time. And, Non-periodic motion does not repeat itself in equal intervals of time.
Periodic Motion vs Non-periodic Motion
| Periodic Motion | Non-periodic Motion | |
| 1. | Periodic motion is a type of motion that repeats itself in equal intervals of time. | Non-periodic motion is a type of motion that does not repeat itself in equal intervals of time. |
| 2. | Always repeats its path in equal intervals of time. | Never repeat its path in equal intervals of time. |
| 3. | Acceleration may be zero or non-zero. | Acceleration is always non-zero. |
| 4. | Easily predictive. | Non-predictive. |
| 5. | In periodic motion, an object always comes back to its original position in a given interval of time. | In non-periodic motion, an object never comes back to its original position in a given interval of time. |
| 6. | Periodic motion examples include movement of a pendulum, earth revolving around the sun, etc. | Non-periodic motion examples include the motion of a soccer ball, driving a car in traffic, etc. |
What is Periodic Motion?
By definition, a periodic motion is a type of motion that always repeats itself in equal intervals of time. In fact, during periodic motion, an object or a particle not only follows or repeats its path. It also comes back to its original position, of course, after a certain or fixed interval of time.
That’s why they are highly predictive. In addition, during a periodic motion, an object can either has zero or non-zero acceleration. A zero acceleration example of periodic motion will be a motion of a manmade satellite around the earth in a uniform circular orbit.
On the other hand, a non-zero acceleration example of periodic motion will be the motion of a simple pendulum. At the mean position, a bob of a simple pendulum has zero acceleration. And, at the extreme position, it has a non-zero acceleration value.
Examples of Periodic Motion
If you think you can’t relate to the examples of periodic motion in daily life. Well, here is your chance to think again…!!!
- Movement of Pendulum
- Church Bell
- Rocking Chair
- Earth-orbiting Sun
- Movement of Clock
- Pirate Ride
- Bouncing Ball
- Heartbeat
- Tuning Fork, etc.
What is Non-periodic Motion?
By definition, a non-periodic motion is a type of motion that does not repeat itself in equal intervals of time. During a periodic motion, an object neither repeats its path. Nor, does it come back to its initial position in a given interval of time.
That’s why they are impossible to predict. In addition, during a non-periodic motion, an object always has a non-zero acceleration. A perfect non-zero acceleration example of non-periodic motion will be the motion of a soccer football.
Examples of Non-periodic Motion
If you think that you can’t relate to the examples of non-periodic motion in daily life. Well, here is your chance to think again…!!!
- Swaying Branch of Trees
- Turbulent Motion of Aircraft in Clouds
- The Game of Curling Stones
- The motion of the Soccer Football
- Dancing
- Eye Movement
- Speaking
- Writing
- The motion of Wave, etc.
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