A displacement–time graph for a mass–spring system shows that the displacement is…

PHYSICS · Subjective · A Level · Physics · Further mechanics and thermal physics · Further mechanics and thermal physics

Problem

A displacement–time graph for a mass–spring system shows that the displacement is zero at

t = 0

and reaches its first positive maximum at

t = 0.35\,\text{s}

. Explain which functional form,

x = A \cos(2\pi f t)

x = A \sin(2\pi f t)

, with zero phase shift best represents the motion, and justify your choice based on the graph.