Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Physics - Law of Conservation of Mechanical Energy?

I just recently performed an experiment using an oscillating spring with a mass attached. I am confident that my measurements are precise, however the total potential energy at the highest point does not equal the total potential energy at the lowest point. My question is: when a spring oscillates vertically, is mechanical energy conserved? Or is the discrepancy between the two due to presence of friction in the form of air resistance?

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