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.
What is the difference between potential and kinetic energy in SHM?
Potential energy is stored energy due to displacement from equilibrium; kinetic energy is the energy of motion as the oscillator moves.
Compare energy at maximum displacement vs. equilibrium in SHM.
Max displacement: max potential energy, zero kinetic energy. Equilibrium: max kinetic energy, zero potential energy.
How do potential and kinetic energy change over one cycle of SHM?
Potential energy converts to kinetic energy as the oscillator moves towards equilibrium, and kinetic energy converts back to potential energy as it moves towards maximum displacement.
What is the relationship between total energy, kinetic energy, and potential energy in SHM?
Total energy is the sum of kinetic and potential energy and remains constant in the absence of non-conservative forces: E = K + U
Contrast the energy vs. time graphs for potential and kinetic energy in SHM.
Both are parabolic curves. Potential energy is at its maximum when position is at its maximum, and kinetic energy is at its maximum when velocity is at its maximum.
What is internal energy (U)?
Energy associated with the random motion of a system's particles; thermal energy within an object.
What is potential energy (U)?
Energy an object has due to its position or configuration within a force field.
What is kinetic energy (K)?
The energy of motion; the energy an object has because it's moving.
Define total energy in a closed system.
The sum of potential and kinetic energy, which remains constant in the absence of non-conservative forces.
What is a simple harmonic oscillator?
A system that, when displaced from its equilibrium position, experiences a restoring force proportional to the displacement.