How Does the Phase Angle in SHM Equations Affect Displacement and Energy?

AI Thread Summary
In simple harmonic motion (SHM), the phase angle (phi) affects the initial conditions of the oscillation. For the function x = A sin(wt + phi), if x = +A at t = 0, then phi equals π/2, contrasting with the cosine function where phi is 0. Additionally, in SHM involving a mass on a spring, the elastic potential energy can equal the kinetic energy at specific points during the oscillation. This balance occurs at the equilibrium position where the total mechanical energy remains constant. Understanding these relationships is crucial for analyzing SHM dynamics effectively.
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question 1)

If a simple harmonic oscillation is described by the function

x = A sin (wt + phi)

would phi be the opposite of what it would be for a SHM described by the function

x = A cos (wt + phi)

I.e if the graph for for x = A sin (wt + phi) , when t = 0, x = +A. would phi be equal to pi instead of 0( as it would for x = A cos (wt + phi)question 2)

For a mass m attached to a spring that undergoes simple harmonic motion, The spring
constant is k.

Does the elastic potential energy ever equal the kinetic energy at one point x?

this isn't a homework question, just my curiosity..

Thanks
 
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1. If x = A\sin(\omega t + \phi) and x = +A at t = 0, then A = A\sin(\phi).

So \phi = \frac{\pi}{2}
 
thanks alot!
 
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