a) In which case, the small-amplitude oscillations or the large-amplitude oscillations, does the cart have a larger average speed?
b) Obviously, the bigger the amplitude, the more distance the cart covers each oscillation. Using this fact, along with your part (a) answer, explain conceptually why the period is the same no matter what the amplitude is (for simple harmonic motion).

Question

a) In which case, the small-amplitude oscillations or the large-amplitude oscillations, does the cart have a larger average speed?
b) Obviously, the bigger the amplitude, the more distance the cart covers each oscillation. Using this fact, along with your part (a) answer, explain conceptually why the period is the same no matter what the amplitude is (for simple harmonic motion).

noelgreco · Answer

What cart?  What's large and what's small?

mony01 · Answer

the amplitude

noelgreco · Answer

I assume it's a spring system .  Draw it.  What don't you understand?  What DO you understand?

mony01 · Answer

i dont understand how would i know which has a greater average speed, do i assume the large one has a greater speed? 
And also how can i explain that the period is the same no matter what the amplitude is?

noelgreco · Answer

The following site has a good representation of the system in your question. http://www.sjsu.edu/faculty/beyersdorf/Phys50lab/Manual/14-EXPERIMENT%2011.pdf Are you in a physics class? Have you performed an experiment? You don't simply want the answer, do you?

mony01 · Answer

i dont understand how that helps me with my question

noelgreco · Answer

Perhaps it doesn't .  You haven't showed that you've tried anything.   There are no drawings, data, or specific questions about what you don't understand.

There actually is some subtlety to your original question, but I have not been able to get you to clarify so that I could help you to an answer.

Good luck: study hard!