Finding Potential Energy of Oscillation

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the total potential energy at the highest and lowest points of oscillation in a spring-mass system, specifically without using velocity or time. Participants explore the concepts of gravitational and elastic potential energy in the context of a physics homework problem.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants inquire about the specific situation and geometry of the problem, suggesting that a sketch and detailed calculations would aid in understanding.
  • One participant mentions that at the top and bottom of the oscillation, the weight momentarily stops, implying that there is no kinetic energy at those points.
  • Another participant questions whether the calculated gravitational potential energy (PEg) is equivalent to the total potential energy, expressing uncertainty about the definitions used in the assignment.
  • Some participants highlight that the elastic potential energy varies throughout the oscillation and ask if the original poster knows the expression for it based on the spring's behavior.
  • There is a suggestion that the original poster should provide the full problem statement and their attempts in the homework forum for more targeted assistance.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally do not reach a consensus on the definition of total potential energy in this context, and multiple interpretations of the problem remain. The discussion reflects varying levels of understanding regarding the relationship between gravitational and elastic potential energy.

Contextual Notes

Participants express limitations in their understanding due to vague problem statements and the requirement to avoid using external resources like Wikipedia. The discussion also reveals a lack of clarity on what constitutes total potential energy in the context of the assignment.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for students working on similar physics problems involving oscillations, potential energy calculations, and the interplay between gravitational and elastic forces in spring systems.

Curls
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How do I find the total potential energy at the highest and lowest points of oscillation without velocity or time?? I do not believe there is any air resistance, only gravity. I also already have the elastic potential energy and the gravitational potential energy.
 
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Curls said:
How do I find the total potential energy at the highest and lowest points of oscillation without velocity or time?? I do not believe there is any air resistance, only gravity. I also already have the elastic potential energy and the gravitational potential energy.
Welcome to the PF.

Can you say more about the situation and geometry? A sketch would help, and if you could type in your calculations so far, that would also help us. Is this problem for schoolwork?
 
berkeman said:
Welcome to the PF.

Can you say more about the situation and geometry? A sketch would help, and if you could type in your calculations so far, that would also help us. Is this problem for schoolwork?
This is for my physics school work I just need someone to explain it to me so I can do it myself. We are working on springs with weights on them and I need to know how to find the total Potential energy at the top and bottom of the oscillation. If someone could just provide me with a formula that does not need the velocity or time that would be great. I have many calculations but I do not want to post them because I do not want the answer solved for me and my teacher may see this and consider it cheating.
 
Curls said:
This is for my physics school work I just need someone to explain it to me so I can do it myself. We are working on springs with weights on them and I need to know how to find the total Potential energy at the top and bottom of the oscillation. If someone could just provide me with a formula that does not need the velocity or time that would be great. I have many calculations but I do not want to post them because I do not want the answer solved for me and my teacher may see this and consider it cheating.
At the top and bottom of the oscillation, the weight stops for a brief moment (Vy = 0). So there is no kinetic energy KE there. You can look at Wikipedia to see the formula for the Gravitational Potential Energy, which does depend on mass. Does that help?
 
berkeman said:
At the top and bottom of the oscillation, the weight stops for a brief moment (Vy = 0). So there is no kinetic energy KE there. You can look at Wikipedia to see the formula for the Gravitational Potential Energy, which does depend on mass. Does that help?
I have already calculated the PEg would that be considered the same thing as the total potential energy?? We are also not allowed to use Wiki in my school.
 
Curls said:
I have already calculated the PEg would that be considered the same thing as the total potential energy?
I believe this is true. Without seeing the actual problem statement, it's hard to say for sure.
Curls said:
We are also not allowed to use Wiki in my school.
Shhhh. I won't tell nobody... :wink:
 
Curls said:
How do I find the total potential energy at the highest and lowest points of oscillation without velocity or time?? I do not believe there is any air resistance, only gravity. I also already have the elastic potential energy and the gravitational potential energy.

This is rather vague. What form of "potential energy" are you trying to find?

Usually, in a spring-mass oscillation, a student is often asked to find the elastic potential energy of the spring. This value isn't a constant, and varies over the full period of oscillation. So the question is, do you know the expression for this based on the expansion and contraction of the spring from the equilibrium position? If you do, then what are the values at maximum compression and extension (look at the amplitude of oscillation)?

Otherwise, anything more direct than this will require that you present the full question and what you have attempted in the HW forum.

Zz.
 
ZapperZ said:
This is rather vague. What form of "potential energy" are you trying to find?

Usually, in a spring-mass oscillation, a student is often asked to find the elastic potential energy of the spring. This value isn't a constant, and varies over the full period of oscillation. So the question is, do you know the expression for this based on the expansion and contraction of the spring from the equilibrium position? If you do, then what are the values at maximum compression and extension (look at the amplitude of oscillation)?

Otherwise, anything more direct than this will require that you present the full question and what you have attempted in the HW forum.

Zz.
It really did not tell me the type I have already calculated the elastic potential and the gravitational potential, and the assignment just said "total potential energy"
 
Curls said:
It really did not tell me the type I have already calculated the elastic potential and the gravitational potential, and the assignment just said "total potential energy"

Post in the HW forum.

Zz.
 
  • #10
ZapperZ said:
Post in the HW forum
Agreed.

@Curls -- Please re-post your schoolwork question in the Homework Help, Introductory Physics forum. Fill out the Homework Help Template that you are provided there when starting a new schoolwork thread. That includes the complete Problem Statement that you were provided, the Relevant Equations that apply, and show your full Attempt at the Solution.

This thread in the technical forums is closed.
 

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