Question

A particle is in simple harmonic motion along the x axis. The amplitude of the motion is xm. When it is at x = x1, its kinetic energy is K = 5 J and its potential energy (measured with U = 0 at x = 0) is U = 3 J. When it is at x = –1/2 xm, its total energy is:

Answer 1

Answer:

The energy of the system shall be 8 Joules

Explanation:

In an undamped simple harmonic motion the total energy of the system is conserved which means that the sum of potential and kinetic energies of the system remains constant throughout the motion of the system

In the given problem The total energy of the system at $x=x_{1}$ is $K.E+U=5+3=8J$

This energy shall remain conserved throughout the motion thus when the system is at $x=\frac{-1}{2}$ The total energy of the system shall still be 8 Joules.