Finding mechanical energy of simple harmonic oscilator

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around calculating the total energy of a simple harmonic oscillator, specifically a block attached to a spring. The block has a mass of 45 g and a spring constant of 240 N/m, with a displacement of 3.5 cm and an initial velocity of 2.5 m/s. Initially, one participant calculated the energy as 0.14 J, but the correct answer is 0.29 J. After reviewing the calculations, the participant confirmed that the correct values were used in the energy formula E = 0.5kx^2 + 0.5mv^2. The thread highlights the importance of double-checking calculations in physics problems.
Dalip Saini
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Homework Statement



A simple harmonic oscillator consists of a block of mass 45 g attached to a spring of spring constant 240 N/m, oscillating on a frictionless surface. If the block is displaced 3.5 cm from its equilibrium position and released with an initial velocity of 2.5 m/s, what is its total energy?
  • A

    0.15 J
  • B

    The total energy varies during each cycle of oscillation.
  • C

    0.20 J
  • D

    0.29 J
  • E

    0.14 J

Homework Equations


E = 0.5kx^2+0.5mv^2

The Attempt at a Solution


I plugged in the values into the formula and I got 0.14J but the answer is 0.29J
 
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Dalip Saini said:

Homework Statement



A simple harmonic oscillator consists of a block of mass 45 g attached to a spring of spring constant 240 N/m, oscillating on a frictionless surface. If the block is displaced 3.5 cm from its equilibrium position and released with an initial velocity of 2.5 m/s, what is its total energy?
  • A

    0.15 J
  • B

    The total energy varies during each cycle of oscillation.
  • C

    0.20 J
  • D

    0.29 J
  • E

    0.14 J

Homework Equations


E = 0.5kx^2+0.5mv^2

The Attempt at a Solution


I plugged in the values into the formula and I got 0.14J but the answer is 0.29J
What values did you plug into the formula?
 
k=240 N/m
x=0.035m
m=0.045
v = 2.5 m/s
 
Actually I just plugged in the values again and I got the answer. Sorry about that
 

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