Energy of Harmonic Oscillators?

In summary, to find the kinetic energy of the block at moment B, we need to answer the following questions in order: 1) What is the potential energy at moment A? 2) What is the kinetic energy at moment A? 3) What is the total energy at moment A? 4) What is the total energy at any moment? 5) What is the potential energy at moment B? 6) Using the answers to questions 4 and 5, we can determine the kinetic energy at moment B.
  • #1
erik-the-red
89
1
Question:

Find the kinetic energy [tex]K[/tex] of the block at the moment labeled B. Express the answer in terms of [tex]k[/tex] and [tex]A[/tex].

Well, I know the potential energy at point B. That's [tex]U_B = (1/2)(k)(\frac{1}{2}A^2) = \frac{1}{8}kA^2[/tex].

How am I supposed to find the kinetic energy?
 

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  • #2
If you can answer the following questions in order, then I think you'll arrive at the solution:

1.) What is the potential energy at moment A?
2.) What is the kinetic energy at moment A?
3.) What is the total energy at moment A?
4.) What therefore must be the total energy at any moment?
5.) What is the potential energy at moment B? (You already got this one).
6.) Using your answers to questions 4 and 5, what is the kinetic energy at moment B?

Give that a shot and see if you can't solve the problem.
 
  • #3
Thanks. The answer was right in front of me :D
 

1. What is a harmonic oscillator?

A harmonic oscillator is a type of physical system that exhibits periodic motion around an equilibrium point. It is characterized by a restoring force that is proportional to the displacement from the equilibrium position, and a constant frequency of oscillation.

2. What is the potential energy of a harmonic oscillator?

The potential energy of a harmonic oscillator is given by the equation U(x) = 1/2kx^2, where k is the spring constant and x is the displacement from the equilibrium position. This potential energy is always positive and increases as the displacement from equilibrium increases.

3. How is the energy of a harmonic oscillator related to its frequency?

The energy of a harmonic oscillator is directly proportional to its frequency. This means that as the frequency increases, so does the energy of the oscillator. This relationship is described by the equation E = (n + 1/2)hf, where n is the energy level, h is the Planck's constant, and f is the frequency.

4. What is the difference between kinetic and potential energy in a harmonic oscillator?

Kinetic energy in a harmonic oscillator is the energy associated with the motion of the oscillator, while potential energy is the energy associated with the position of the oscillator. As the oscillator moves between the two extremes of its motion, the kinetic and potential energies are constantly being converted into each other, resulting in a constant total energy.

5. Can the energy of a harmonic oscillator ever be negative?

No, the energy of a harmonic oscillator cannot be negative. This is because the potential energy of the oscillator is always positive, and the total energy of the oscillator is the sum of its kinetic and potential energies. However, the energy can approach zero as the oscillator approaches its equilibrium position.

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