true or false?
A mass M is affixed to a spring. A mass 2M is affixed to an identical spring. The two systems oscillate with identical amplitudes. In spite of their difference in mass, the two masses have the same maximum kinetic energy.
If this statement is true, prove it. If false, show why it is false.
Comments
What John C said is incorrect. If they oscillate with the same amplitude, they have the same energy. Why? The maximum potential energy for both springs is: .5 * k * d^2 where k is the spring constant and d is the amplitude (You can get this by integrating the formula for Hooke's Law: F = -kx). The reason why John C was misled is that the maximum velocity will be different for each spring and this difference will be compensated for by the masses.
As such, since the maximum potential energy and maximum kinetic energy are equivalent, the statement is true.
Hope that helps
false.
formula is KE=(0.5)mv^2
see how there is "m"? that means when you change the mass, you change the kinetic energy generated.
There is no truth, only perception.