Question

When the pendulum shown below swings from point A to point B, what happens to its total mechanical energy (ignoring friction)? (1 point) Responses Total mechanical energy is not conserved. Total mechanical energy is not conserved. Total mechanical energy goes down. Total mechanical energy goes down. Total mechanical energy goes up. Total mechanical energy goes up. Total mechanical energy stays the same. Total mechanical energy stays the same.

Answer 1

When the pendulum swings from point A to point B, ignoring friction, the total mechanical energy stays the same. This is because the system is conservative, meaning that the potential energy at point A is converted into kinetic energy as it swings down, and as it swings back up to point B, the kinetic energy is converted back into potential energy. Since there are no non-conservative forces (like friction) doing work on the system, the total mechanical energy is conserved.

So the correct response is: Total mechanical energy stays the same.