The document presents a physics learning object focused on energy conservation in simple harmonic motion, featuring five mass-spring systems at different positions. It contains a series of questions regarding the total energy of each system given specific parameters, with answers provided in terms of spring constant (k) and velocity (v). It concludes that all systems have the same total energy due to the conservation of energy principle.

1. Physics 101 Learning Object 1:
Energy Conservation in Simple Harmonic Motion
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Image gathered from: http://homepages.spa.umn.edu/~yk/Image28.gif
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The above diagram shows 5 different mass-spring systems at different X
distances, with all blocks with the same mass of 4kg.
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Question 1. In system (a), if distance X is -6cm, what is the total energy at that
point? Choose the answer given in terms of k (constant) and v (velocity).
A. 0 J
B. 3k J
C. 18k J
D. -18k J
E. 18k + 2v2
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Question 2. In system (c), with the distance of X=0cm, what is the total energy
at that point? Choose the answer given in terms of k (constant) and v (velocity).
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A. 0 J
B. 2v2
J
C. 4kv2
J
D. 4v2
J
E. 8v2
J
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2. Question 3. In system (d), when X=4cm, what is the total energy in terms of k
(constant) and v (velocity)?
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A. 8k J
B. 16k J
C. 4v2
- 8k J
D. 2v2
- 8k J
E. 2v2
+ 8k J
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Question 4. In system (e), when X=6cm, what is the total energy in terms of k
(constant) and v (velocity)?
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A. 36k J
B. 18k J
C. -18k J
D. 18k + 2v2
J
E. 36k + 2v2
J
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Question 5. In all 5 of the systems, which system contains the most total
energy?
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A. All systems have the same total energy.
B. (c)
C. (e)
D. (a)
E. Impossible to determine without more information.
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3. Physics 101 Learning Object 1:
Energy Conservation in Simple Harmonic Motion
!
Image gathered from: http://homepages.spa.umn.edu/~yk/Image28.gif
!
!
The above diagram shows 5 different mass-spring systems at different X
distances, with all blocks with the same mass of 4kg.
!
!
Question 1. In system (a), if distance X is -6cm, what is the total energy at that
point? Choose the answer given in terms of k (constant) and v (velocity).
A. 0 J
B. 3k J
C. 18k J
D. -18k J
E. 18k + 2v2
!
Answer: C. Since total energy (X=-6, v=0) = K + U = (1/2)kX2
= (1/2)(-6)2
k =
18k J
!
Question 2. In system (c), with the distance of X=0cm, what is the total energy
at that point? Choose the answer given in terms of k (constant) and v (velocity).
!
A. 0 J
B. 2v2
J
C. 4kv2
J
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4. D. 4v2
J
E. 8v2
J
!
Answer: B. Total energy (X=0) = K + U = (1/2)mv2
= (1/2)(4)v2
= 2v2
J
!
Question 3. In system (d), when X=4cm, what is the total energy in terms of k
(constant) and v (velocity)?
!
A. 8k J
B. 16k J
C. 4v2
- 8k J
D. 2v2
- 8k J
E. 2v2
+ 8k J
!
Answer: E. Total energy (X=4) = K + U = (1/2)mv2
+ (1/2)kX2
= (1/2)(4)v2
+
(1/2)(4)2
k = 2v2
+ 8k J
!
Question 4. In system (e), when X=6cm, what is the total energy in terms of k
(constant) and v (velocity)?
!
A. 36k J
B. 18k J
C. -18k J
D. 18k + 2v2
J
E. 36k + 2v2
J
!
Answer: B. Total energy (X=6, v=0) = K + U = (1/2)kX2
= (1/2)(6)2
k = 18k J
!
Question 5. In all 5 of the systems, which system contains the most total
energy?
!
A. All systems have the same total energy.
B. (c)
C. (e)
D. (a)
E. Impossible to determine without more information.
Answer: A. Due to the conservation of energy, all systems will have the same
total energy with the formula E = K + U.
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