Question

At what point does a pendulum have the greatest Kinetic Energy?

A) On the left
B) On the right
C) At the bottom
D) At the top

Answer 1

C) At the bottom

Step-by-step explanation:

A pendulum oscillates about its mean position. At extreme position, it has only potential energy (at an instant of rest). As it travels downwards towards mean position, the potential energy converts to kinetic energy. At the mean position, the pendulum has minimum potential energy and maximum kinetic energy. Again it travels towards extreme position, kinetic energy converts to potential energy.

Thus, at the bottom, pendulum has the maximum kinetic energy.

Answer 2

At the bottom.

Step-by-step explanation:

A pendulum possess two types of energies i.e. kinetic energy and the potential energy. It vibrates about its mean position. At extreme position, it will posses only gravitational potential energy or no kinetic energy. While at the bottom, its kinetic energy is maximum and minimum potential energy.

So, at the bottom a pendulum have the greatest Kinetic Energy. Therefore, the correct option is (c).