A2 Daily A Level Physics question
A glider on a low-friction air track is attached to a horizontal spring and oscillates with small amplitude. When the glider is at its maximum displacement to the right, which statement must be true?
Answer
The correct answer is B.
Correct: B — Its velocity is zero; acceleration is maximum towards the left; kinetic energy is at a minimum; elastic potential energy is at a maximum. A confuses the turning point with the centre: at maximum displacement speed is zero, acceleration is not zero, and elastic potential energy is largest, not smallest. B matches SHM at an extreme: turning point has zero speed, restoring acceleration largest toward equilibrium, KE minimum and PE maximum. C reverses directions and places maximum speed at the turning point instead of at the centre. D incorrectly sets acceleration to zero at the turning point and claims both energies are maximum, which cannot happen in SHM.