In simple harmonic motion (SHM), the potential energy (PE) of a spring-mass system is conventionally set to zero at the equilibrium position. However, if the minimum potential energy is not zero, it indicates that the spring is indeed stretched or compressed at the mean position. This is due to the arbitrary nature of the zero reference point for potential energy, which does not affect the underlying physics. The discussion emphasizes that the PE can be shifted without altering the dynamics of the system.
PREREQUISITESStudents and educators in physics, mechanical engineers, and anyone interested in the principles of oscillatory motion and energy dynamics in spring systems.
vijayramakrishnan said:in shm,if minimum potential energy of an shm is not zero,does that mean that in mean position ,spring is stretched.
eg mass attached to a vertical spring.
so in kinetic energy potential energy curve of shm,why is minimum potential energy not zero at some instances?ZapperZ said:One typically define the PE of the spring-mass system as having zero PE when it is in the equilibrium position (hang the mass, let it sit there without moving, and that's the equilibrium position). When it is stretched or compressed, then the spring-mass system will have an amount of potential energy based on the amount that it is stretched/compressed.
Zz.
vijayramakrishnan said:so in kinetic energy potential energy curve of shm,why is minimum potential energy not zero at some instances?
I already answered this. It does not make any difference to the physics where the zero for your PE is.vijayramakrishnan said:why is minimum potential energy not zero at some instances?