Energy Bar Charts for SHM

An energy bar chart provides a visual snapshot of how mechanical energy is distributed between kinetic energy $K$ and potential energy $U$ at any instant during SHM. Three bars are displayed: one for $K$, one for $U$, and one for total energy $E$. Since energy is conserved, the total bar maintains constant height while $K$ and $U$ vary such that $K + U = E$.

Maximum Displacement ($x = \pm A$): The oscillator momentarily stops, so $v = 0$. All energy is potential:

Equilibrium ($x = 0$): The oscillator moves fastest with $v = v_{\max}$. All energy is kinetic:

Intermediate Positions: At position $x$, the energy distribution follows from $U = \frac{1}{2}kx^2$. The fractions are:

For example, at $x = A/2$, we have $U = E/4$ and $K = 3E/4$: