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Introduction to SAT II Physics - FreeExamPapers

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In this figure, v represents velocity, F represents force, KE represents kinetic energy, and<br />

represents potential energy.<br />

Vertical Oscillation of Springs<br />

Now let’s consider a mass attached <strong>to</strong> a spring that is suspended from the ceiling. Questions of this<br />

sort have a nasty habit of coming up on <strong>SAT</strong> <strong>II</strong> <strong>Physics</strong>. The oscillation of the spring when<br />

compressed or extended won’t be any different, but we now have <strong>to</strong> take gravity in<strong>to</strong> account.<br />

Equilibrium Position<br />

Because the mass will exert a gravitational force <strong>to</strong> stretch the spring downward a bit, the<br />

equilibrium position will no longer be at x = 0, but at x = –h, where h is the vertical displacement<br />

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