A body executes SHM with an amplitude a. At what displacement from the mean position is the potential energy one-fourth of the total energy?
Options

Question

A body executes SHM with an amplitude a. At what displacement from the mean position is the potential energy one-fourth of the total energy?

G1 Physics · Accepted Answer

Step 1: In SHM, potential energy U = ½kx² and total energy E = ½ka². Step 2: The ratio U/E = x²/a². Step 3: Given U/E = 1/4, so x²/a² = 1/4. Step 4: Hence the magnitude of displacement is |x| = a/2. Final answer: (B) a/2.