For an object undergoing simple harmonic motion,
A)the acceleration is greatest when the speed is greatest.
B)the displacement is greatest when the speed is greatest.
C)the acceleration is greatest when the displacement is greatest.
D)the maximum potential energy is larger than the maximum kinetic energy.
E)the total energy oscillates at frequency f = .

Question

For an object undergoing simple harmonic motion,
A)the acceleration is greatest when the speed is greatest. 
B)the displacement is greatest when the speed is greatest. 
C)the acceleration is greatest when the displacement is greatest. 
D)the maximum potential energy is larger than the maximum kinetic energy. 
E)the total energy oscillates at frequency f = .

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The acceleration of an object undergoing simple harmonic motion is directly proportional to the displacement from the equilibrium position. Therefore, the acceleration is greatest when the displacement is greatest (at the amplitude), and it is zero at the equilibrium position. The speed of the object is greatest when it passes through the equilibrium position and it is zero at the amplitude. The displacement is greatest at the amplitude as well. The maximum potential energy is equal to the maximum kinetic energy in the absence of any external forces, and they both occur at the amplitude. The total energy of the system remains constant and does not oscillate. The frequency of the oscillation depends on the properties of the system, such as the mass, spring constant, and initial conditions, and it is not given by the obscure string of characters in choice E.

For an Object Undergoing Simple Harmonic Motion