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Grade 8Mechanics

Spring is pulled down by 2 cm. What is amplitude of motion? 1]0 cm 2]6 cm 3]2 cm 4]4cm

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9 Years agoGrade 8
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1 Answer

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ApprovedApproved Tutor Answer1 Year ago

To determine the amplitude of motion when a spring is pulled down by 2 cm, we first need to clarify what amplitude means in the context of spring motion. Amplitude refers to the maximum extent of a vibration or oscillation, measured from the position of equilibrium. In simpler terms, it’s the furthest distance the spring moves from its resting position.

Understanding the Scenario

When you pull a spring down by 2 cm, you are displacing it from its natural resting position. This displacement is what we consider the amplitude of the spring's motion. Since the spring is pulled down and not pushed or released, the maximum distance it moves from its equilibrium position is indeed the distance you pulled it down.

Breaking It Down

  • Equilibrium Position: This is where the spring would naturally rest if no forces were acting on it.
  • Displacement: When you pull the spring down by 2 cm, you are displacing it from this equilibrium position.
  • Amplitude: The amplitude is the maximum distance from the equilibrium position, which in this case is 2 cm.

Choosing the Correct Answer

Given the options provided:

  • 0 cm
  • 6 cm
  • 2 cm
  • 4 cm

The correct answer is clearly 2 cm, as this is the distance the spring has been pulled from its resting position, representing the amplitude of its motion.

Visualizing the Motion

Imagine a swing at a playground. When you pull the swing back and let it go, the furthest point it reaches from its resting position is similar to the amplitude of the swing's motion. Just like the swing, the spring's amplitude is determined by how far it is displaced from its equilibrium position, which in this case is 2 cm.

In summary, the amplitude of motion for the spring that has been pulled down by 2 cm is indeed 2 cm. This understanding of amplitude is crucial in various applications, including physics and engineering, where oscillatory motion is involved.