All Flashcards
What is the effect of increasing the displacement on potential energy?
Increasing the displacement from equilibrium increases the potential energy stored in the system (U = 1/2 kx^2).
What happens to kinetic energy as an oscillator approaches equilibrium?
As the oscillator approaches equilibrium, its kinetic energy increases, reaching its maximum at the equilibrium point.
What happens to potential energy as an oscillator moves away from equilibrium?
As the oscillator moves away from equilibrium, its potential energy increases, reaching its maximum at maximum displacement.
What is the effect of doubling the amplitude on the total energy of SHM?
Doubling the amplitude quadruples the total energy (since energy is proportional to the square of the amplitude).
What happens if non-conservative forces act on a simple harmonic oscillator?
The total energy of the system decreases over time due to energy dissipation (e.g., friction).
What happens if the spring constant is doubled?
The potential energy doubles for the same displacement.
Define Internal Energy (U).
Energy associated with the random motion of a system's particles; thermal energy within an object.
Define Potential Energy (U).
Energy an object has due to its position or configuration within a force field.
Define Kinetic Energy (K).
Energy of motion; energy an object has because it's moving.
Define Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM).
A type of periodic motion where the restoring force is directly proportional to the displacement.
Define Total Energy in a closed system.
The sum of potential and kinetic energy, which remains constant in the absence of non-conservative forces.
Describe the energy transformation in SHM.
Continuous conversion between potential and kinetic energy. Maximum potential energy at maximum displacement; maximum kinetic energy at equilibrium.
How to calculate total energy at maximum displacement?
At maximum displacement, all energy is potential. Use to calculate total energy.
How to calculate total energy at equilibrium?
At equilibrium, all energy is kinetic. Total energy is equal to the potential energy at maximum displacement, calculated using .