Question

A 1.90-kg mass vibrating up and down on the end of a vertical spring has a maximum speed of 2.30 m/s. What is the total potential energy of the mass on the spring when the mass is at either endpoint of its motion? NOTE: Assume that the potential energy of the mass on the vertical spring is zero when the mass is at the midpoint of its motion. Give your answer in joules.

Answer 1

The answer to the question is;

The total potential energy of the mass on the spring when the mass is at either endpoint of its motion is 5.0255 Joules.

Step-by-step explanation:

To answer the question, we note that the maximum speed is 2.30 m/s and the mass is 1.90 kg

Therefore the maximum kinetic energy of motion is given by

Kinetic Energy, KE =
`(1)/(2) mv^(2)`

Where,

m = Attached vibrating mass = 1.90 kg

v = velocity of the string = 2.3 m/s

Therefore Kinetic Energy, KE =
`(1)/(2)`×1.9×2.3² = 5.0255 J

From the law of conservation of energy, we have the kinetic energy, during the cause of the vibration is converted to potential energy when the mass is at either endpoint of its motion

Therefore Potential Energy PE at end point = Kinetic Energy, KE at the middle of the motion

That is the total potential energy of the mass on the spring when the mass is at either endpoint of its motion is equal to the maximum kinetic energy.

Total PE = Maximum KE = 5.0255 J.