Try it on paper first. A hint, the key idea and the worked solution are here when you need them.
A block oscillates on a spring with an amplitude of . (a) How far from the middle is its kinetic energy three times its potential energy? (b) Where are the two energies equal? (c) At that point, what fraction of its largest speed does the block have?
Potential energy , kinetic energy , total . So and . at , and each energy averages to over a period.
Have you tried it?
Work it out on paper first. It is fine to get stuck or make a mistake: that is how we learn. When you are ready, go through the solution one step at a time, and check each step against your own.
(a) means . So , and .
(b) gives .
(c) There . Since goes as , .
Answer: ; ; of the largest speed. Notice that half the energy does not mean half the speed.
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