Energy in SHM (kinetic, potential, total)
Simple harmonic motion · Physics
Simple pendulum
Interactive 3DRelease the bob and watch true small-angle SHM. The period depends only on the string length.
Controls
Drag the sliders or type a value — the simulation updates live.
m
0.3m2m
°
5°45°
Study notes
A 0.5-kg mass on a spring (k = 200 N/m) oscillates with amplitude 0.08 m. Find (a) the total energy, (b) the maximum speed, and (c) the KE and PE at x = 0.04 m. Step 1: (a) E = ½kA² = 0.5 × 200 × 0.0064 = 0.64 J. Step 2: (b) v_max = A√(k/m) = 0.08 × √(200/0.5) = 0.08 × 20 = 1.6 m/s. Step 3: (c) U = ½kx² = 0.5 × 200 × 0.0016 = 0.16 J; K = E − U = 0.64 − 0.16 = 0.48 J. Answer: (a) 0.64 J, (b) 1.6 m/s, (c) U = 0.16 J, K = 0.48 J. Note U + K = E always — energy just changes costume.