Question

The amplitude of a vibrating ideal mass and spring system is halved, what happens with the mechanical energy of the system?

a.) decrease by a factor of 3

b.) decrease by a factor of 4

c.) decrease by a factor of 2

d.) decrease by a factor of sqrt2

e.) does not change

The restoring force on a pendulum bob is proportional to sin(theta), where theta is the angle which the pendulum makes with the vertical. The pendulum performs simple harmonic motion if the approximation of sin(theta) = theta is satisfied. Which angle is the largest theta so that the approximation holds within 0.1%

a.) 5.4

b.) 2.4

c.) 4.4

d.) 3.4

e.) 1.4

Answer 1