Answer in 5 sentences

What causes a pendulum to continue swinging?

A pendulum continues swinging due to the conservation of energy. When a pendulum is set in motion, it gains potential energy as it moves to the highest point in its swing. As the pendulum swings down, this potential energy is converted into kinetic energy, giving it momentum to swing back up. However, due to various factors like friction and air resistance, energy is gradually lost, causing the pendulum’s amplitude to decrease over time until it eventually comes to rest. To keep a pendulum swinging for longer, minimizing these energy losses by reducing friction or using a more isolated environment is essential.