Question

A block of mass mis attached to a horizontal spring and rests on a flat, smooth surface as seen in the figure. The block can be pushed in the negative x- direction to compress the spring or pulled in the positive x-direction to stretch the spring. Where along the x-axis does the block have to be for the spring to have zero potential energy? Marked out of Flag estion ix=0 0 Select one: O a. The spring has zero potential energy when the block is at either x = Xmax, where the spring is stretched/compressed to its maximum value. O b. The spring has zero potential energy when the block is at x = + Xmax, where the spring is stretched to its maximum value. O c. The spring has zero potential energy when the block is at x = 0, where the spring is neither stretched nor compressed. O d. The spring has

Answer 1

The spring potential energy Ik x² NI- k x = displacement from the mean position. Spring potential energy will be zero. 91 So, the correct option will be He block is at (c) The spring has zero potential energy when x=0, where he spring 18 heither Stretched horcompressed.