A block of mass is attached to a horizontal ideal spring of force constant placed on…
PHYSICS · Multi-part · A Level · Physics · Mechanics and materials · Mechanics and materials
Problem
A block of mass m is attached to a horizontal ideal spring of force constant k placed on a smooth horizontal surface. At t=0 the spring is compressed by a distance x0 from its natural length and released from rest.
(i) State the work–energy theorem for one–dimensional motion.
(ii) Without performing any numerical calculation, describe qualitatively how the kinetic energy of the block varies as the displacement changes from −x0 (maximum compression) through the equilibrium position to +x0 (maximum extension).
(iii) The force–displacement graph for the spring is a straight line through the origin. Explain how the total work done by the spring force in one complete oscillation can be interpreted from this graph and why its value is zero.