A horizontal spring of relaxed length is attached to a block on a frictionless table
PHYSICS · Single correct · A Level · Physics · Further mechanics and thermal physics · Further mechanics and thermal physics
Problem
A horizontal spring of relaxed length L is attached to a block on a frictionless table. A coordinate system is chosen so that x=0 is at the left end of the relaxed spring. When the system is at rest in equilibrium, the block is located at xeq=L+0.15m. During an oscillation, the block is momentarily at x=L+0.05m and moving to the right.
Based on this coordinate choice, what are the signs of (i) the block’s displacement from equilibrium and (ii) the net spring force on the block at that instant?
(a) Displacement positive; Force positive
(b) Displacement positive; Force negative
(c) Displacement negative; Force negative
(d) Displacement negative; Force positive