A pendulum is held at the top of its swing. The person holding the pendulum lets go, and the pendulum is allowed to swing freely. Answer the following questions about the pendulum.

Question

a. When the pendulum is held at the top of its swing, what type of energy does it have?

(1 point)
Responses

electrical energy
electrical energy

motion energy
motion energy

kinetic energy
kinetic energy

potential energy
potential energy
Question 2
b. As the pendulum swings freely, what is happening to its energy?(1 point)
Responses

PE converts to KE as it falls, and then KE converts to PE as it rises
PE converts to KE as it falls, and then KE converts to PE as it rises

PE converts to KE, and then total energy becomes zero
PE converts to KE, and then total energy becomes zero

KE converts to PE as it falls, and then PE converts to KE as it rises
KE converts to PE as it falls, and then PE converts to KE as it rises

KE converts to PE, and then total energy becomes zero
KE converts to PE, and then total energy becomes zero
Question 3
c. When are kinetic energy and potential energy equal in magnitude (equal in amount)?(1 point)
Responses

They are equal at the bottom position.
They are equal at the bottom position.

They are equal half-way between the top position and the bottom position.
They are equal half-way between the top position and the bottom position.

They are equal at the top position.
They are equal at the top position.

They are equal at every position

Answer 1

Here are the answers to your questions about the pendulum:

a. When the pendulum is held at the top of its swing, what type of energy does it have?

• Potential energy

b. As the pendulum swings freely, what is happening to its energy?

• PE converts to KE as it falls, and then KE converts to PE as it rises

c. When are kinetic energy and potential energy equal in magnitude (equal in amount)?

• They are equal half-way between the top position and the bottom position.

These responses reflect the energy transformations that occur in a pendulum as it swings.