Physics quiz question: mass-spring translational kinetic energy

Physics 205A Quiz 6, fall semester 2018
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

A 0.75 kg mass attached to a horizontal spring has a 2.0 s period of oscillation. Neglect friction and drag. The velocity versus time graph for this mass-spring system is shown at right. The earliest time that the mass will have its maximum translational kinetic energy is:
(A) 0 s.
(B) 0.5 s.
(C) 1.0 s.
(D) 1.5 s.

Correct answer (highlight to unhide): (B)

The translational kinetic energy of the mass-spring system will be at a maximum when the velocity v has its greatest magnitude (regardless of direction), which occurs at t = 0.5 s and t = 1.5 s.

Sections 70854, 70855
Exam code: quiz06POr7
(A) : 5 students
(B) : 38 students
(C) : 6 students
(D) : 3 students

Success level: 73%
Discrimination index (Aubrecht & Aubrecht, 1983): 0.67