In simple harmonic motion, the velocity of an oscillating object is maximum at two specific positions: the equilibrium position (where the displacement is zero) and the extreme positions (where the displacement is maximum).
To understand this, let's consider an object undergoing simple harmonic motion, such as a mass attached to a spring. The motion of the object can be described by a sine or cosine function, and it oscillates back and forth around the equilibrium position.
At the equilibrium position, the displacement of the object is zero, meaning it is not displaced from its resting position. At this point, the object momentarily stops before changing its direction of motion. Since velocity is the rate of change of displacement, the velocity is maximum at the equilibrium position.
At the extreme positions, where the displacement from the equilibrium position is at its maximum, the object momentarily pauses before changing its direction of motion. At these points, the velocity is also maximum because it experiences the greatest rate of change of displacement.
In summary, the velocity of an object undergoing simple harmonic motion is maximum at both the equilibrium position and the extreme positions, where the displacement is zero and maximum, respectively.