10) Question 10 asks us to find the graph that best represents the elastic potential energy on the block. The given situation is an oscillating block attached to a spring positioned on a frictionless surface. We are asked to find the choice which is closest to the graph of the block's elastic potential energy as a function of its displacement. Let's start with our equation for elastic potential energy.
Looking at this equation, we can tell the two distinct features necessary to find the correct graph. Firstly, the elastic potential energy is directly proportional with the square of the displacement. This means that the graph is increasing quadratically. Additionally, the function will have no initial value. That means when the spring's displacement is 0, the elastic potential energy will be 0 as well; our graph will intersect the origin. Now, we can sketch the graph and compare our sketch to the answer choices.
Answer: E
Comentários