Question

Rana writes a summary about a mass on a spring in simple harmonic motion as it moves upward from the equilibrium position toward the maximum positive displacement.

As the mass moves upward, the velocity is positive and decreasing while the acceleration is negative and decreasing.

What error did Rana make?

The velocity should be negative, not positive.
The acceleration should be positive, not negative.
The velocity should be increasing, not decreasing.
The acceleration should be increasing, not decreasing.

Answer 1

4. The acceleration should be increasing, not decreasing.

Reason: For SHM a = −ω²x. As the mass moves upward x increases (positive), so a is negative but its magnitude increases (becomes more negative). The velocity statement is correct (v > 0 but decreasing).