A block attached to an ideal horizontal spring oscillates on a frictionless surface
PHYSICS · Single correct · A Level · Physics · Further mechanics and thermal physics · Further mechanics and thermal physics
Problem
A block attached to an ideal horizontal spring oscillates on a frictionless surface. Student X sets the elastic potential energy to zero at the spring’s equilibrium position, while Student Y sets it to zero at the block’s maximum displacement.
Which of the following quantities, if any, will have different numerical values in the two students’ calculations?
(a) The block’s maximum speed only
(b) Both the block’s maximum speed and the oscillation period
(c) Neither the block’s maximum speed nor the oscillation period
(d) The oscillation period only