Question

Describe the initial condition of the experiment; specifically, describe the position of the weight and the direction in which it was traveling.

a) Maximum positive position, above equilibrium
b) Maximum negative position, below equilibrium
c) Traveling in the negative direction, passing through equilibrium
d) Minimum positive position, below equilibrium

Answer 1

The initial condition of the experiment for simple harmonic motion depends on the specific scenario, but it can be above or below the equilibrium position with different directions of travel.

Step-by-step explanation:

The initial condition of the experiment depends on the specific scenario. In general, for simple harmonic motion experiments, the equilibrium position is the position where the spring is neither stretched nor compressed, marked as x = 0. The weight or mass is initially at this equilibrium position, and it can have different initial conditions depending on the experiment.

If the weight is at maximum positive position, it is above the equilibrium and traveling in the negative direction, passing through the equilibrium. If the weight is at maximum negative position, it is below the equilibrium and traveling in the positive direction, passing through the equilibrium. If the weight is at a minimum positive position, it is below the equilibrium and traveling in the positive direction, passing through the equilibrium.