A child lets a simple pendulum swing back and forth. At its lowest point, kinetic energy is maximum, while…
A child lets a simple pendulum swing back and forth. At its lowest point, kinetic energy is maximum, while potential energy is maximum at the highest points. What happens to the TOTAL mechanical energy throughout the swing (ignoring friction)?
It increases at the highest point
It decreases at the lowest point
It remains constant throughout the motion
It vanishes completely at mid-swing
Solution
According to the Law of Conservation of Energy, energy merely shifts between potential and kinetic forms; total mechanical energy remains constant.