Question

In an oscillating pendulum, at what position the potential and kinetic energy are maximum? Explain the energy changes in the simple pendulum.

Answer 1

let the mean position be A and the two extreme positions be C and B

at position B-when the bob is raised from position A to position B, work is done against the force of gravity. At this position,the pendulum has only potential eneygy .

At position A-when the bob moves from B to A, the potential energy decreases and kinetic energy increases. When the bob is as A ,it has maximum kinetic energy.

At position C- as the bob goes from A to C,its kinetic energy decreases and potential energy increases.