Halliday, Resnick & Walker — Oscillations: Problem 4

4 Figure 15-21 gives the one-dimensional potential energy well for a 4.0 kg particle (the function \(U(x)\) has the form \(bx^2\) and the vertical axis scale is set by \(U_s = 2.0 \text{ J}\)). (a) If the particle passes through the equilibrium position with a velocity of 85 cm/s, will it be turned back before it reaches \(x = 15 \text{ cm}\)? (b) If yes, at what position, and if no, what is the speed of the particle at \(x = 15 \text{ cm}\)?