Question

Which of the following is the restoring force in the SHM?
A. Conservative
B. Non conservative
C. Frictional
D. Centripetal

Answer 1

Hint: A particular form of periodic motion in which the restorative force on the moving object is proportional to the displacement amplitude of the object and operates against the equilibrium direction of the object is known as the simple harmonic motion.

Complete step by step answer:
A simple harmonic oscillator consists of a weight attached to one end of a spring. The other end of the spring is linked with a strong structure like a wall. If the object stays in rest in the state of equilibrium so there is no net force acting on the mass. However, if the mass is removed from the place of equilibrium, the spring exerts an elastic restoring force that obeys the law of Hooke.
The restoring force is given mathematically by-
$F = - kx$, where $F$ is the spring’s restoring elastic force, $k$ is the spring constant and $x$ is the displacement from the state of equilibrium.
For any harmonic oscillator,
When the system is removed from its state of equilibrium, a restorative force that obeys the law of Hooke appears to restore order to the system. After the mass has been removed from its location of equilibrium, it encounters a net restoring force. As a consequence it accelerates and begins to return to the state of equilibrium.
Also, we know that-
A conservative force is a force that is not dependent on the direction taken, with the characteristic that the work is performed in moving a particular object between two points.
Thus, from the above discussion we can see that the restoring force in the SHM is conservative since there is no loss of energy and the object returns back to the position of equilibrium.

So, the correct answer is “Option A”.

Note:
We should always keep in mind while solving the question that the restoring force is negative since the spring force is usually in the opposite direction of displacement.