Acceleration of Spring Mass System - oneplusone

[oneplusone]

I always see those spring mass type questions on AP M.C. questions. Ones with a horizontal spring connected to a mass.
I understand that at the maximum amplitude, the velocity is zero since it is changing direction, and the displacement is maximum. However, what is the acceleration like? I can't seem to visualize it. Please help.

Cheers,
oneplusone

 

[SlideRuler]

Velocity is the first derivative of displacement and acceleration is the first derivative of velocity. If the displacement varies as a sin function, it's easy to calc velocity and acceleration. At max displacement, the magnitude of the acceleration is maximum and the velocity is zero.

 

[Chestermiller]

I always see those spring mass type questions on AP M.C. questions. Ones with a horizontal spring connected to a mass.
I understand that at the maximum amplitude, the velocity is zero since it is changing direction, and the displacement is maximum. However, what is the acceleration like? I can't seem to visualize it. Please help.

Cheers,
oneplusone

At any displacement, the spring force is equal to the spring constant k times the displacement x. So the acceleration must be equal to -kx/m at all displacements.