Welcome to the PF.Curls said:
This is for my physics school work I just need someone to explain it to me so I can do it myself. We are working on springs with weights on them and I need to know how to find the total Potential energy at the top and bottom of the oscillation. If someone could just provide me with a formula that does not need the velocity or time that would be great. I have many calculations but I do not want to post them because I do not want the answer solved for me and my teacher may see this and consider it cheating.berkeman said:
At the top and bottom of the oscillation, the weight stops for a brief moment (Vy = 0). So there is no kinetic energy KE there. You can look at Wikipedia to see the formula for the Gravitational Potential Energy, which does depend on mass. Does that help?Curls said:
I have already calculated the PEg would that be considered the same thing as the total potential energy?? We are also not allowed to use Wiki in my school.berkeman said:
I believe this is true. Without seeing the actual problem statement, it's hard to say for sure.Curls said:
Shhhh. I won't tell nobody...Curls said:
Curls said:
It really did not tell me the type I have already calculated the elastic potential and the gravitational potential, and the assignment just said "total potential energy"ZapperZ said:
Curls said:
Agreed.ZapperZ said:
Potential energy of oscillation is the energy stored in a system when it is displaced from its equilibrium position. It is a form of energy that can be converted into other forms, such as kinetic energy, as the system oscillates back and forth.
The potential energy of oscillation can be calculated using the equation: PE = 1/2kx^2, where PE is the potential energy, k is the spring constant of the system, and x is the displacement from equilibrium. This equation assumes that the restoring force of the system is directly proportional to the displacement.
The potential energy of oscillation is affected by the mass of the object, the spring constant of the system, and the displacement from equilibrium. The higher the mass and the greater the displacement, the more potential energy the system will have. A higher spring constant will also result in a higher potential energy.
In simple harmonic motion, the potential energy of oscillation is constantly changing as the object oscillates back and forth. At the equilibrium position, the potential energy is at its minimum, while at the maximum displacement, the potential energy is at its maximum. This relationship is represented by a sinusoidal curve.
Some examples of potential energy of oscillation include a pendulum, a spring on a pogo stick, and a mass on a spring. These systems all have the ability to store potential energy as they oscillate back and forth.