Final answer:
In an ideal harmonic oscillator, mechanical energy is conserved due to the absence of dissipative forces, with energy continually being converted between kinetic and potential forms without loss.
The correct answer is: A) No external forces act on the system
Step-by-step explanation:
Mechanical energy is conserved in an ideal harmonic oscillator because there are no dissipative forces such as friction or air resistance acting on the system. In simple harmonic motion (SHM), the energy alternates between kinetic energy (K = 1/2 mv²) and potential energy (U = 1/2 kx²) stored in the oscillating object, such as a mass attached to a spring.
As the system moves through its cycles, the potential energy of the stretched or compressed spring is converted to kinetic energy as the mass moves back towards the equilibrium position and vice versa.
Because no energy is lost to non-conservative forces or external forces, the sum of potential and kinetic energy remains constant throughout the motion, illustrating the concept of conservation of mechanical energy.
In an ideal harmonic oscillator, mechanical energy is conserved because there are no external forces acting on the system. In this type of system, there are no dissipative forces, such as friction, present.
Therefore, the total mechanical energy, which is the sum of the kinetic energy and potential energy, remains constant.