In the Real World, a pendulum would eventually stop due to the presence of external forces such as friction and air resistance. These forces convert some of the pendulum's mechanical energy into thermal energy, causing it to lose energy over time. As energy is dissipated, the amplitude of the pendulum's swing decreases, leading to a gradual stop. This energy loss prevents the pendulum from continuing its motion indefinitely, unlike in the idealized Closed System of the simulation.
→ Now use the phet to answer the following questions below.
IV. Pendulum Questions:
6. Pause the simulation and raise the Blue Item up to 90°. What energy type is at its highest and why?
Type Answer HERE:At 90°, the potential energy of the Blue Item is at its highest. This is because potential energy is greatest when the object is at its maximum height, due to the increased gravitational force of gravity acting on it based on its height above the lowest point in the pendulum’s arc.
7. Play the simulation. Describe where the Blue Item is when it has reached its highest kinetic energy and what happens to the energy of the item as it gains height again.
Type Answer HERE: The Blue Item reaches its highest kinetic energy at the lowest point of the swing, where it has maximum speed. As it ascends and gains height, the kinetic energy decreases while the potential energy increases, due to the conservation of energy principle. The total mechanical energy remains constant, friction and air resistance.
8. Continue to play the simulation. This simulation will go on and on for eternity if we let it. This simulation is in what we call a Closed System. We are only looking at the variables we want to in this simulation. In the Real World (Open System), if we had a Pendulum like this, it would eventually stop. Explain why it would stop in the Real World.
Type Answer HERE:
1 answer