At its highest point the pendulum is 1.2 meters off the ground and has a gravitational potential energy of 62 Joules. If the gravitational potential energy is 10 Joules at its lowest point. What is the pendulums kinetic energy at this point? Please help!
52 J.
62-10=52.
To find the pendulum's kinetic energy at its lowest point, we first need to calculate the change in gravitational potential energy from the highest point to the lowest point.
Given that the gravitational potential energy at the highest point is 62 Joules and at the lowest point is 10 Joules, the change in gravitational potential energy can be calculated as follows:
Change in gravitational potential energy = Gravitational potential energy at highest point - Gravitational potential energy at lowest point
Change in gravitational potential energy = 62 J - 10 J
Change in gravitational potential energy = 52 J
Since energy is conserved, the change in gravitational potential energy is equal to the kinetic energy at the lowest point:
Kinetic energy at lowest point = Change in gravitational potential energy
Kinetic energy at lowest point = 52 J
Therefore, the pendulum's kinetic energy at its lowest point is 52 Joules.
To determine the pendulum's kinetic energy at its lowest point, we need to understand the principle of conservation of energy. According to this principle, the total mechanical energy (the sum of kinetic energy and potential energy) of a system remains constant as long as only conservative forces are acting on it.
In this case, the pendulum experiences gravitational potential energy and kinetic energy, so we can write the conservation of energy equation as:
Potential Energy + Kinetic Energy = Total Mechanical Energy
At the highest point, the gravitational potential energy is 62 Joules, and at the lowest point, it is 10 Joules. Therefore, the total mechanical energy of the system remains constant:
62 Joules + Kinetic Energy = 10 Joules
To find the kinetic energy at the lowest point, we can rearrange the equation:
Kinetic Energy = Total Mechanical Energy - Potential Energy
Kinetic Energy = 10 Joules - 62 Joules
Kinetic Energy = -52 Joules
However, it's important to note that kinetic energy cannot be negative. A negative value here indicates that the pendulum does not have enough mechanical energy to reach its lowest point.
Thus, based on the information provided, it seems there is a discrepancy or error in the given data as it violates the principles of conservation of energy.