A vertical spring has a mass hanging from it, which is displaced from the equilibrium position and begins to oscillate. At what point does the system have the least potential energy?
A) at the highest point
B) at one-fourth of the distance between the highest point and lowest point
C) at the lowest point
D) at the point where the spring is unstretched
E) at the equilibrium point

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The system has the least potential energy at the equilibrium point because this is where the spring is neither compressed nor stretched, and gravitational potential energy is balanced.

A Vertical Spring Has a Mass Hanging from It, Which