KE and PE in SH Motion

[drillers]

With SHM, a mass attached to the spring (no non conservative forces), total mechanical energy is conserved.

But isn't it correct to say that KE and PE are conserved as well. PE MAX is KE Min and vice versa.

I ask b/c I was reviewing a question asking about the oscillating motion of an atom and the choices for conservation were:

Total Energy, PE, Linear Momentum, and Angular Momentum.

I totally thought that saying total Energy conserved is the same as saying that KE and PE are conserved.

The answer was total energy and NOT PE

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[gettheleadout]

Conserved means constant. Total energy is constant because changes in KE are reflected by the opposite change in PE and vice versa. Those particular values change, however, so they are not conserved.