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Re: oscillations test question

Robert commented about calling SOTEPEOTSATGPEOFOAE (I added in two
more E's) the total PE:

I can live with that. I just thought there was a more descriptive name
for it so that students wouldn't interpret it as the total PE for *any*
situation.

True, but doesn't usually come up in intro physics. I agree an
alternate name might be better in rare cases.

The point is this is the total PE whether the spring is horizontal,
vertical, or on an incline. Just measure x relative to the
equilibrium position not the unstretched position. Carl
--
Carl E. Mungan, Asst. Prof. of Physics 410-293-6680 (O) -3729 (F)
U.S. Naval Academy, Stop 9C, Annapolis, MD 21402-5026
mungan@usna.edu http://physics.usna.edu/physics/faculty/mungan/

This posting is the position of the writer, not that of SUNY-BSC, NAU or the AAPT.