The graph that best represents the potential energy of a harmonic oscillator as a function of the position of the oscillator is
A) 1
B) 2
C) 3
D) 4
E) 5

Question

The graph that best represents the potential energy of a harmonic oscillator as a function of the position of the oscillator is
A) 1 
B) 2 
C) 3 
D) 4 
E) 5

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Harmonic oscillator potential energy is quadratic, meaning it is proportional to the square of the displacement from the equilibrium position. Therefore, the potential energy graph should be parabolic or quadratic in shape. Choice 2 is the only graph that has this shape, while the others either have a different shape or are not even continuous functions.

The Graph That Best Represents the Potential Energy of a Harmonic