Swinging Pendulum Diagram

In this diagram, the points marked with a T and a number represent points in time during which the pendulum swings.

Swinging Pendulum Art

At time #1 (which is the point T1) and time #5 (point T5), the pendulum is at its highest points. At T1 and T5, potential energy is at its highest amount and kinetic energy is at its lowest amount.

At time #3 (T3), the pendulum is at its lowest point. At this point, kinetic energy is at its highest amount and potential energy is at its lowest amount. Note that the total amount of energy (E) remains the same no matter where the pendulum is in its swing.

As the pendulum swings down (going from T1 to T3), it is losing potential (PE) energy and gaining kinetic energy (KE), but the total amount of energy (E) remains the same. As it swings up (going from point T3 to point T5), it is losing kinetic energy (KE) and gaining potential energy (PE), but the total amount of energy (E) remains the same. It is only the type of energy that changes.

Swinging

Will a swinging pendulum swing forever?

No. In reality, friction will stop the pendulum.

How To

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Student Tools lets you create your own Flashcard decks to help you study. To get started, click Student Tools > Flashcards. Press Add New Set and give it a title.

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