149k views
23 votes
When are force and acceleration at their minimum in simple harmonic motion?

User Cnettel
by
3.5k points

1 Answer

9 votes

Answer:

Since F = M a force and acceleration both have maximum and minimum values at the same point in their motion.

Also, F = - k x where x is the extension of the displacement that creates the acceleration.

Since, there is no force acting on the object at the midpoint of the motion, then F = - k x = 0 and there is no acceleration.

Likewise, at maximum extension F = - k x is a maximum and both the force and acceleration have their maximum values at maximum extension.

User Patrick Balada
by
4.3k points