Question

In simple harmonic motion, when is the oscillator’s magnitude of the acceleration the greatest? (there could be multiple correct choices)

A) When the speed is a maximum

B) When the displacement is a zero

C) when the magnitude of the displacement is a maximum

D) when the potentila energy is a maximum

E) when the kinetic energy is a minimum

Answer 1

Speed is maximum at the mean position ,but net force is zero at mean position,so is magnitude of acceleration.

B):again displacement is zero at mean position.

C):magnitude of displacement is maximum at the extreme points.as the force is proportional to displacement, therefore force is also maximum,and thus maximum is acceleration.

D):potential energy is maximum at the extreme position,and from part c we have acceleration maximum.

Kinetic energy is also minimum at the extreme and since force is maximum at extreme,so is the acceleration.

Thus option A,Band C are correct.