Which statement best describes the kinetic energy (K)
PHYSICS · Single correct · A Level · Physics · Further mechanics and thermal physics · Further mechanics and thermal physics
Problem
Which statement best describes the kinetic energy (K), elastic potential energy (U), and total mechanical energy (E) of an ideal mass-spring oscillator undergoing simple harmonic motion?
(a) K is maximum at the points of maximum displacement and zero at equilibrium, while U shows the opposite behavior; E stays constant.
(b) U is zero at the equilibrium position, K is zero at the points of maximum displacement, and E remains constant at all times.
(c) K and U rise and fall together so that their sum oscillates between zero and a maximum value.
(d) Both K and U remain constant and equal to each other throughout the motion.