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Energy of Simple Harmonic Oscillators

AP Physics 1· difficulty 2/5

Total E K(x) U(x) −A 0 +A

The graph shows kinetic energy KK, potential energy UU, and total energy EE as functions of position for an ideal spring oscillator with amplitude AA. At x=0x = 0 (equilibrium), how does KK compare to UU?

  • A

    K=EK = E, U=0U = 0

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  • B

    K=U=E/2K = U = E/2

  • C

    K=0K = 0, U=EU = E

  • D

    K=E/2K = E/2, U=EU = E

Explanation

At equilibrium the spring is unstretched, so U=12k(0)2=0U = \tfrac{1}{2}k(0)^2 = 0, and all the energy is kinetic: K=EK = E.

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