Use the following scenario to answer the question. Pete hangs a weight from a spring and then releases it. He watches as the spring oscillates back and forth. Pete says that this will repeat forever. Which of the following states if Pete is right or wrong and explains the reasoning correctly? (1 point) Responses Pete is correct because simple harmonic motion is occurring, and this type of motion should continue on forever. Pete is correct because simple harmonic motion is occurring, and this type of motion should continue on forever. Pete is not correct because friction will cause the spring to fall and rise with a shorter distance during each oscillation. The spring will eventually come to rest entirely. Pete is not correct because friction will cause the spring to fall and rise with a shorter distance during each oscillation. The spring will eventually come to rest entirely. Pete is correct because friction will cause the spring to fall and rise with a greater distance during each oscillation. It will never stop completely. Pete is correct because friction will cause the spring to fall and rise with a greater distance during each oscillation. It will never stop completely. Pete is not correct because eventually the weight will fall off the spring, causing the motion to cease. Pete is not correct because eventually the weight will fall off the spring, causing the motion to cease. Skip to navigation

1 answer

The correct response is: Pete is not correct because friction will cause the spring to fall and rise with a shorter distance during each oscillation. The spring will eventually come to rest entirely.

Reasoning: In a real-world scenario, oscillations will eventually be damped due to friction and air resistance. These forces convert mechanical energy into thermal energy, causing the amplitude of the oscillations to decrease over time. Eventually, the system will come to rest, and the motion will not continue indefinitely.