When the pendulum shown below swings from point A to point B, what happens to its total mechanical energy (ignoring friction)?

Question

(1 point)
Responses

Total mechanical energy goes down.
Total mechanical energy goes down.

Total mechanical energy is not conserved.
Total mechanical energy is not conserved.

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 and we ignore friction (assuming an ideal scenario), the total mechanical energy is conserved. The pendulum converts potential energy at the highest point (point A) to kinetic energy as it moves down towards point B, and vice versa as it swings back up.

Therefore, the correct response is:

Total mechanical energy stays the same.