Question

Look at the clock and the data table below. Based on the data and on your knowledge of potential and kinetic energy, what is the BEST conclusion you can make about potential and kinetic energy?

There is always more potential energy than kinetic energy.


Potential Energy can never be 0, but you can have 0 Kinetic energy.


The total amount of energy stays the same.


The clock has the most Potential Energy at point B since it is moving the fastest.

Answer 1

The Energy will remain the same 101% positive

Answer 2

The total energy remains the same as we can get it from the sum of potential energy and kinetic energy

Hence the statement

The total amount of energy stays the same.: Correct

As from the given data from table the potential energy (the energy of rest) can never be zero for the given pendulum. However the kinetic energy (energy of moving) can be zero at rest position. As in the given table

a) at point A and point D [point of maximum potential energy ]: Kinetic energy is zero

So the statement

Potential Energy can never be 0, but you can have 0 Kinetic energy: Correct

The following statements are not correct for the given situation:

a) There is always more potential energy than kinetic energy: not at the points where it is moving fastest the kinetic energy is greater than potential energy,

b) The clock has the most Potential Energy at point B since it is moving the fastest: Not true. When it is moving fastest it will have highest kinetic energy which is a function of speed.