A child is swinging back and forth on a swing. Changes in her kinetic and potential energy are happening each moment. At which point or multiple points in her swinging would each of these two types of power be at each end?

Answer 1

In the case of a child swinging back and forth on a swing, her kinetic energy and potential energy change throughout the motion.

1. Potential Energy (PE): This is highest at the highest points of the swing's arc (the endpoints). At these points, the child is momentarily at rest (velocity = 0), which means her kinetic energy is at a minimum (zero, at the very instant she changes direction). Here, gravitational potential energy is maximum because she is at the highest elevation relative to her lowest point in the swing's path.

2. Kinetic Energy (KE): This is highest at the lowest point of the swing's path. At this position, the child is moving the fastest as she swings through the lowest point, and her kinetic energy is at its maximum. At this stage, her potential energy is at a minimum because she is at the lowest elevation.

In summary:

• Highest Potential Energy: At the endpoints of the swing (highest points).
• Highest Kinetic Energy: At the lowest point of the swing (the midpoint in the swinging motion).