- #1
Law of conservation of energy and springs.
- Thread starter firezap
- Start date
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Homework Help Overview
The discussion revolves around the law of conservation of energy in the context of springs and oscillating masses. Participants are examining how energy is conserved as a mass oscillates, referencing various energy equations related to potential and kinetic energy.
Discussion Character
- Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking
Approaches and Questions Raised
- Some participants question the reliability of online solutions they found, while others suggest considering the conservation of total energy (potential plus kinetic) during oscillation.
Discussion Status
The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring different interpretations of energy conservation in oscillatory motion. There is no explicit consensus, but some guidance has been offered regarding the constancy of total energy.
Contextual Notes
Participants express uncertainty about the clarity of the problem, with references to image attachments that are not accessible to all. There is also a mention of the simplicity of the problem if energy conservation is maintained.
- #2
rude man
Science Advisor
- 8,032
- 870
How about energy conservation as the mass oscillates back & forth?
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- #3
- #4
rude man
Science Advisor
- 8,032
- 870
firezap said:
I'm sorry, I can't read it.
But it's a simple problem if you keep total (potential plus kinetic) energy constant as the mass oscillates.