Harmonic oscillator: If an atom in a crystal is acted upon by a restoring force that is directly proportional to the distance of the atom from its equilibrium position in the crystal, then it is impossible for the atom to have zero kinetic energy.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The restoring force is proportional to the displacement from equilibrium, so the atom will always be moving and therefore have non-zero kinetic energy.

Harmonic Oscillator: If an Atom in a Crystal Is Acted