Question

The body executing simple harmonic motion is in which of the following conditions at the mean position?

• A. that of minimum potential energy
• B. that of maximum potential energy
• C. that of stable equilibrium
• D. that of neutral equilibrium
• E. that of unstable equilibrium

Answer 1

Answer: (A), (C)

that of stable equilibrium

A marble placed on a bowl is in stable equilibrium. It means that on displacing the marble on either side it comes back to its mean position. In the language of physics, a restoring force is developed which pulls it back towards the equilibrium or mean position.

Stable equilibrium is the position of minimum potential energy. [Also just so you know unstable equilibrium is position of maximum potential energy] The mean position of a body executing SHM is a position of stable equilibrium.