Simple Harmonic Motion Question?

[kate Co]

Homework Statement

A 0.500Kg object is undergoing simple harmonic motion at the end of a horizontal spring with force constant k=300N/m. When the object is 0.012m from the equilibrium position, it is observed to have a speed of 0.300m/s. What is:

a) The total energy of the object at any point of its motion?

b) The amplitude of the motion.

c) The maximum speed attained by the object during its motion.

Could you also please explain the steps? Thank you x

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

 

[BiGyElLoWhAt]

Hey kate, weclome to PF.
We would love to help you with this, but, unfortunately, you seem to have forgotten provide your attempt at the solution!
Let's start with part A. What do you know about the total energy at anypoint in it's motion?

 

[kate Co]

Hey kate, weclome to PF.
We would love to help you with this, but, unfortunately, you seem to have forgotten provide your attempt at the solution!
Let's start with part A. What do you know about the total energy at anypoint in it's motion?

Hello, I apologize, I am very much new to this site. For the total energy, I tried using the 1/2KA^2 equation, however I got stuck as I didn't know how to find the amplitude?

 

[BiGyElLoWhAt]

What kind of energies does the block have at the observed location?
And that's no problem, that's why I was gentle :P

 

[kate Co]

What kind of energies does the block have at the observed location?
And that's no problem, that's why I was gentle :P

Haha thank you :) Umm the block possesses Kinetic Energy?

 

[BiGyElLoWhAt]

Is that the only kind? I believe it is attached to a spring, right? What's that 1/2 k A^2 equation represent that you tried using?

 

[kate Co]

Is that the only kind? I believe it is attached to a spring, right? What's that 1/2 k A^2 equation represent that you tried using?

That represnets Total Energy which is the kinetic energy added to the potential energy?

 

[BiGyElLoWhAt]

True. I'll just throw this out there, because I'm unsure how to allude to it: 1/2 k A^2 is the total energy, but it is a special case. It's when the object has 0 kinetic energy, and it's all stored in potential. What's the velocity at the amplitude?

So while it is equal to the total energy, what does it actually represent?

 

[BiGyElLoWhAt]

Awww... don't give up on me kate.