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At what position does the pendulum have the greatest kinetic energy? Position B Position C Position D

Question

At what position does the pendulum have the greatest
kinetic energy?
Position B
Position C
Position D

At what position does the pendulum have the greatest kinetic energy? Position B Position C Position D

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UnaElite · Tutor for 8 years

Answer

To determine the position at which the pendulum has the greatest kinetic energy, we need to understand the relationship between potential energy, kinetic energy, and the motion of a pendulum.Step 1: Understand the Conservation of Energy in a PendulumA pendulum's motion can be described by the conservation of mechanical energy, which states that the total mechanical energy (the sum of potential and kinetic energy) in a closed system remains constant if there are no non-conservative forces like friction or air resistance doing work. As the pendulum swings, it converts potential energy into kinetic energy and vice versa.Step 2: Identify the Points of Maximum Potential Energy and Maximum Kinetic Energy- At the highest points of its swing (positions D and B in the diagram), the pendulum has maximum potential energy and minimum kinetic energy because it is momentarily at rest before changing direction.- At the lowest point of its swing (position C in the diagram), the pendulum has minimum potential energy and maximum kinetic energy because it is at its fastest speed.Step 3: Determine the Position of Greatest Kinetic EnergyBased on the conservation of energy principle, the pendulum has the greatest kinetic energy at the point where its potential energy is at its lowest. This is because the potential energy that the pendulum had at the top of its swing has been converted into kinetic energy as it falls.Answer:The pendulum has the greatest kinetic energy at Position C.
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