8. The pendulum in the diagram below swings from position A to B.
If we don’t consider friction, what happens to the total mechanical energy as the pendulum swings from position A to position B?
(1 point)
Responses
It becomes greater.
It becomes greater.
It remains the same
It remains the same
It declines
It declines
It is not conserved
It remains the same.
The correct answer is that the total mechanical energy of the pendulum remains the same as it swings from position A to B.
To determine the answer, we need to understand the concept of mechanical energy. Mechanical energy is the sum of kinetic energy (energy due to motion) and potential energy (energy due to position or height). In this case, the pendulum swinging from position A to position B involves a change in its height, which affects its potential energy.
As the pendulum swings, it goes from its highest point (position A) to its lowest point (position B). At position A, the pendulum has the highest potential energy because it is at its highest height. As the pendulum swings to position B, it loses height and therefore potential energy. However, according to the law of conservation of energy, energy is never created or destroyed but only transferred or transformed.
In the case of the pendulum, as potential energy is being lost, the pendulum gains kinetic energy (energy of motion). This is because as the pendulum loses height, it gains speed. Therefore, the total mechanical energy (the sum of potential and kinetic energy) of the pendulum remains constant as it swings from position A to position B.
Therefore, the correct answer is: It remains the same.