Question

In a simple harmonic motion, when the displacement is one half the amplitude, what fraction of the total energy is kinetic?

(a) 1/2

(b) 3/4

(c) Zero

(d) 1/4

I have been asked this question in semester exam.

This is a very interesting question from Oscillations topic in portion Oscillations of Engineering Physics I

Answer 1

Right choice is (b) 3/4

To explain: At x = a/2, the kinetic energy is

Kinetic energy=1/2×k×[a^2-(a/2)^2]=3/4×1/2×ka^2=3/4 E.