Question
Consider the diagram of a pendulum's motion shown above. A pendulum can be used to model the change from potential energy to kinetic energy and back to potential energy. According to the diagram, where are energy conversions taking place?
Responses
A
point A
point A
B
point B
point B
C
point C
point C
D
Both points A and C
Responses
A
point A
point A
B
point B
point B
C
point C
point C
D
Both points A and C
Answers
GPT-4o mini
In a pendulum's motion, energy conversions primarily occur between potential energy and kinetic energy as the pendulum swings.
- At **point A** (the highest point), the pendulum has maximum potential energy and minimal kinetic energy.
- As it swings down to **point B** (the lowest point), potential energy is converted to kinetic energy, with the maximum kinetic energy occurring at this point.
- As it swings back up to **point C** (another high point), the kinetic energy is converted back into potential energy.
Thus, energy conversions take place at points A and C as the pendulum moves to and from its highest points.
The correct response is **D (Both points A and C)**.
- At **point A** (the highest point), the pendulum has maximum potential energy and minimal kinetic energy.
- As it swings down to **point B** (the lowest point), potential energy is converted to kinetic energy, with the maximum kinetic energy occurring at this point.
- As it swings back up to **point C** (another high point), the kinetic energy is converted back into potential energy.
Thus, energy conversions take place at points A and C as the pendulum moves to and from its highest points.
The correct response is **D (Both points A and C)**.