When a mass on a spring is at maximum displacement, what quantity is at a minimum?
a. acceleration
b. velocity
c. net force
d. amplitude

b. velocity

Explanation:

The spring is at maximum displacement when it experiences maximum net force and so the maximum acceleration. (F = - k x = ma ).

The displacement of the spring determines the amplitude. Hence, maximum displacement means maximum amplitude.

At the maximum displacement, the potential energy (P.E. = 0.5 k x²) possessed by the spring would be maximum and minimum kinetic energy (K.E.= 0.5 m v²). This means that the spring would have minimum velocity at maximum displacement.

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