Question

The weight suspended from a spring oscillates up and down. The acceleration of weight will be zero at

• A. mean position.
• B. highest position.
• C. half of the amplitude.
• D. lowest position.

Hint:

In SHM, the acceleration is maximum at the extreme positions (highest and lowest positions) and zero at the mean position where the displacement is zero.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding the motion of the spring.
When a weight is attached to a spring and oscillates up and down, the motion follows simple harmonic motion (SHM). In SHM, the acceleration of the object is always directed towards the equilibrium (mean) position and is proportional to the displacement from the mean position.
Step 2: The acceleration at the mean position.
At the mean position, the displacement from equilibrium is zero, and thus the restoring force (and hence the acceleration) is also zero. Therefore, the acceleration of the weight will be zero at the mean position.
Step 3: Conclusion.
Thus, the acceleration of the weight will be zero at the mean position, which corresponds to option (A).