Question

Use the following scenario to answer the question.

Pete hangs a weight from a spring and then releases it. He watches as the spring oscillates back and forth. Pete says that this will repeat forever.

Which of the following states if Pete is right or wrong and explains the reasoning correctly?

( help please! )

A. Pete is correct because simple harmonic motion is occurring, and this type of motion should continue on forever.


B. Pete is not correct because friction will cause the spring to fall and rise with a shorter distance during each oscillation. The spring will eventually come to rest entirely.


C. Pete is not correct because eventually the weight will fall off the spring, causing the motion to cease.


D. Pete is correct because friction will cause the spring to fall and rise with a greater distance during each oscillation. It will never stop completely.

Answer 1

Option: B

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct answer is B. Pete is not correct because friction will cause the spring to fall and rise with a shorter distance during each oscillation. The spring will eventually come to rest entirely.

The motion of the spring is affected by friction, which gradually dissipates its energy. As a result, the amplitude of the oscillations decreases over time until the spring eventually comes to a stop. This phenomenon is known as damping, and it causes the motion to cease rather than continue indefinitely.