A 0.36-kg object is oscillating on a spring with a spring constant of k = 18 N/m.What is the potential energy of the system when the object displacement is 0.041 m,exactly half the maximum amplitude?

A) zero
B) 0.03 0 J
C) 0.015 J
D) 0.369 J
E) 9 J

Question

A 0.36-kg object is oscillating on a spring with a spring constant of k = 18 N/m.What is the potential energy of the system when the object displacement is 0.041 m,exactly half the maximum amplitude?
​
A) zero
B) 0.03 0 J
C) 0.015 J
D) 0.369 J
E) ​9 J

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

At a displacement of half the maximum amplitude, the object has moved from its equilibrium position, thus it has potential energy stored in the spring. The potential energy of a spring is given by:

U = (1/2)kx^2

where U is the potential energy, k is the spring constant, and x is the displacement.

Plugging in the given values, we get:

U = (1/2)(18 N/m)(0.041 m)^2 
U = 0.015 J

Therefore, the correct answer is (C) 0.015 J.

A 036-Kg Object Is Oscillating on a Spring with a Spring