Total charge –Q is uniformly spread along the length of a ring of radius R. A small test charge +q of mass m is kept at the centre of the ring and is given a gentle push along the axis of the ring.
(a) Show that the particle executes a simple harmonic oscillation.
(b) Obtain its time period.
Let the charge q is displaced slightly by along the axis of ring. Let force on the charge q will be towards O. The motion of charge q will be simple harmonic, it the force on charge q must be proportion to z and is directed towards O.
Electric field at axis of the ring at a distance z from the centre of ring
towords O
the net force on the charge
As
or
Where
Clearly, the force on q is proportional to the negative of its displacement. Therefore the motion of q is simple harmonic.