Question

A mass undergoes SHM with amplitude of 4 cm. The energy is 8.0 J at this time. The mass is cut in half, and the system is again set in motion with amplitude 4.0 cm. What is the energy of the system now?

Answer 1

Hi there!

`\large\boxed{E_(total) = 8.0 \text{ J}}`

For a mass undergoing SHM, the total energy of the system is given as:

`ME = (1)/(2)kA^2`

Where:

k = Spring constant (N/m)

A = amplitude (m)

There is no quantity of mass in the equation, so the total mechanical energy of the system is NOT impacted by the object's mass.

Thus, the energy of the system will still be 8.0 J.