Solving Spring Energy: Half Amplitude & Kinetic Energy %

[go2cnavy]

For an Ideal spring...At half Amplitude, what % of the energy is kinetic?

I know at A the kinetic energy it instantly zero which makes max potential energy (.5kx^2)

I also know that after released, at the instant passising through the equilibrium point kinetic energy is max and potential energy is zero.

From the energy conservation approach Et = Ei so, .5mv^2 = .5kA^2


I have no clue where to start this problem. Maybe I am making it too difficult

 

[OlderDan]

For an Ideal spring...At half Amplitude, what % of the energy is kinetic?

I know at A the kinetic energy it instantly zero which makes max potential energy (.5kx^2)

I also know that after released, at the instant passising through the equilibrium point kinetic energy is max and potential energy is zero.

From the energy conservation approach Et = Ei so, .5mv^2 = .5kA^2


I have no clue where to start this problem. Maybe I am making it too difficult

You know how to calculate the potential energy at full amplitude when it is the total energy. You should also be able to calculate it at half amplitude when it is not the total energy. Any energy that is not potentail energy at half amplitude (or anywhere else) is kinetic energy.