Question

trevor places a mass on a spring. when he releases it, the mass and spring move in simple harmonic motion. how could trevor increase the amplitude of the motion? he could use a smaller mass. he could use a stiffer spring. he could pull the mass down farther. he could use a longer spring.

Explanation:

Amplitude in simple harmonic motion (like a mass - spring system) is the maximum displacement from the equilibrium position.

• Using a smaller mass affects the period (\(T = 2\pi\sqrt{\frac{m}{k}}\)) and frequency, not the amplitude.
• A stiffer spring (higher \(k\)) also affects period/frequency, not amplitude.
• A longer spring doesn't directly relate to increasing the maximum displacement from equilibrium.
• Pulling the mass down farther increases the initial displacement from the equilibrium position, which is the amplitude. So this action increases the amplitude.

Answer:

He could pull the mass down farther.