In simple harmonic motion, the speed of the body is maximum
- A. at the extreme positions
- B. at the mean position
- C. midway between mean and extreme
- D. everywhere, since it is constant
Explanation
At the mean position the displacement is zero, so all the energy is kinetic and the speed peaks, while at the extremes the body is momentarily at rest with all the energy stored as potential. The total energy stays constant throughout, simply exchanging between the two forms twice every cycle. Acceleration follows the opposite pattern to speed.