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When it passes through equilibrium it moves with its maximum speed, vmax. That means it has maximum kinetic energy at that position.
As it continues, the spring exerts a force on the mass which does work on it and slows it down. When the displacement is at its maximum-called the amplitude-the mass momentarily stops and its kinetic energy at that point is zero. While the spring has been doing work on the mass it has also been storing elastic potential energy. When the mass has stopped and the kinetic energy is zero, the potential energy of the spring is maximum.
At the equilibrium position, where the kinetic energy was maximum, the potential energy was zero.
The amount of kinetic energy and the amount of potential energy
vary but their sum-the total energy of the oscillator-remains
constant throughout the motion. This is another example of energy
conservation.
As it continues its swing, it rises higher, increasing its potential energy. As it continues its swing, it slows down, decreasing its kinetic energy.
The amount of kinetic energy and the amount of potential energy
vary but their sum-the total energy of the oscillator-remains
constant throughout the motion. This is yet another example of
energy conservation.
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