Final answer:
The highest potential energy of a pendulum is at its highest points of swing, with zero kinetic energy, and the highest kinetic energy at the lowest point, with potential energy at zero. The pendulum's energy transitions between potential and kinetic as it swings due to the law of conservation of energy.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding Pendulum Energy Transitions
When discussing a pendulum swinging from right to left with three distinct positions, we must analyze the transitions of energy types. At the highest points of its swing (position a), the pendulum possesses the highest potential energy (U) and zero kinetic energy (K), as it pauses momentarily before descending. This is because the potential energy is converted into kinetic energy as it falls due to gravity. Midway through its path (position b), the pendulum has a combination of potential and kinetic energy, as it is still above its lowest point, but also moving. At the lowest point of its path (position c), the pendulum reaches its highest kinetic energy as all the potential energy has been converted into kinetic energy due to its motion. As the pendulum begins to rise again, kinetic energy is reconverted back into potential energy.
Utilizing the law of conservation of energy, we can state that the total mechanical energy remains constant, thus, any change in potential energy (ΔU) is matched by an inverse change in kinetic energy (ΔK). This transition repeats as the pendulum swings back and forth, transferring energy between potential and kinetic forms.