Answer the following questions related to the energy aspects of simple harmonic motion.
PHYSICS · Multi-part · A Level · Physics · Further mechanics and thermal physics · Further mechanics and thermal physics
Problem
Answer the following questions related to the energy aspects of simple harmonic motion.
(i) Explain why the total mechanical energy of a particle executing simple harmonic motion remains constant even though both kinetic and potential energies vary with time.
(ii) Show qualitatively how the total mechanical energy of the particle depends on the amplitude of oscillation.
(iii) Draw (no scale needed) and label the graphs of kinetic energy and potential energy versus displacement for one complete oscillation, indicating clearly the points where each energy is maximum and minimum.
(iv) Using the energy–displacement relationship, explain why the speed of the particle is zero at the extreme positions and maximum at the mean position.