Question

In a simple harmonic oscillator, at the mean position:

• A. kinetic energy is minimum, potential energy is maximum
• B. both kinetic and potential energies are maximum
• C. kinetic energy is maximum, potential energy is minimum
• D. both kinetic and potential energies are minimum

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

Kinetic energy of particle of mass $m$ in SHM at any point is,
$=\frac{1}{2} m \omega^{2}\left(a^{2}-x^{2}\right)$
and potential energy $=\frac{1}{2} m \omega^{2} x^{2}$
where, $a$ is amplitude of particle and $x$ is the distance from mean position. So, at mean position, $x=0$
$KE =\frac{1}{2} m \omega^{2} a^{2}$ (maximum)
$PE =0$ (minimum)