Is Acceleration Zero at the Maximum Position of a Spring-Mass System?

[Jalhalla]

Homework Statement

When a mass is suspended from a spring, the spring reaches a new equilibrium position. The spring is then stretched downward by a certain amount x. When the spring comes back up and the mass reaches its maximum position, is the mass' acceleration zero? And what are all of the forces acting on it at this maximum position? I know that gravity and Fx = kx act on it, but is there anything else?

 

[G01]

Yes, those are the only forces on the mass. Now, the mass is in the process of changing direction of motion at the maximum position. What does this tell you about the acceleration? Can it be zero in this situation?

 

[ogb p]

I would say that the mass' acceleration is not zero at the maximum position. While the spring may be in equilibrium and the net force acting on the mass is zero, the mass still has a non-zero velocity and therefore experiences a non-zero acceleration due to its inertia.

In terms of the forces acting on the mass at the maximum position, you are correct in identifying gravity and the spring force (Fx = kx). However, there may also be other forces at play, such as air resistance or friction, depending on the specific conditions of the experiment. It is important to consider all possible forces when analyzing the motion of an object. Additionally, the direction of the forces may change as the mass moves through its motion, so it is important to carefully consider the forces at each stage of the experiment.