Final answer:
The amplitude of a mass tied to a spring and vibrating periodically is half the distance between its highest and lowest points. Therefore, if it moves 48 cm, the amplitude is 24 cm.
Step-by-step explanation:
The distance a mass tied to a spring moves from its highest to its lowest point during periodic vibration is twice the amplitude. So, if the distance is 48 cm, then the amplitude of the vibration is half of this distance.
The amplitude is the maximum displacement from the equilibrium position which the mass reaches during its motion. Since the distance from the highest to the lowest point is twice the amplitude, we calculate the amplitude by dividing the total distance by two.
Amplitude of the vibrating mass = distance between highest and lowest point / 2 = 48 cm / 2 = 24 cm.