In a harmonic oscillator, the total mechanical energy is constant. What is the form of this energy?
Practice Questions
1 question
Q1
In a harmonic oscillator, the total mechanical energy is constant. What is the form of this energy?
Kinetic energy only
Potential energy only
Sum of kinetic and potential energy
None of the above
In a harmonic oscillator, the total mechanical energy is the sum of kinetic and potential energy, which remains constant over time.
Questions & Step-by-step Solutions
1 item
Q
Q: In a harmonic oscillator, the total mechanical energy is constant. What is the form of this energy?
Solution: In a harmonic oscillator, the total mechanical energy is the sum of kinetic and potential energy, which remains constant over time.
Steps: 5
Step 1: Understand what a harmonic oscillator is. It is a system that moves back and forth in a regular pattern, like a mass on a spring.
Step 2: Recognize that in a harmonic oscillator, there are two types of energy: kinetic energy (energy of motion) and potential energy (stored energy due to position).
Step 3: Know that the total mechanical energy is the sum of kinetic energy and potential energy.
Step 4: Remember that in a harmonic oscillator, this total mechanical energy does not change over time; it stays constant.
Step 5: Conclude that the form of the total mechanical energy is the combination of kinetic and potential energy.
