A student creates a computational model of an energy by changes experienced by a pendulum
To create a computational model of the energy changes experienced by a pendulum, the student would need to consider several factors.
1. Kinetic energy: The student would need to calculate the kinetic energy of the pendulum at any given point in time. This can be done by determining the mass of the pendulum bob and its velocity. The formula for kinetic energy is KE = 0.5 * mass * velocity^2.
2. Potential energy: The student would also need to calculate the potential energy of the pendulum at any given point in time. This can be done by determining the height of the pendulum bob from its equilibrium position and the acceleration due to gravity. The formula for potential energy is PE = mass * gravity * height.
3. Total energy: The student can calculate the total energy of the pendulum by adding the kinetic energy and potential energy together. This would give them an understanding of how the energy of the system changes over time.
4. Conservation of energy: The student should also verify if the total energy of the pendulum is conserved. In an ideal scenario, the energy of a pendulum should remain constant unless there is external force or energy loss due to friction or air resistance.
Using this computational model, the student can then simulate the changes in energy experienced by the pendulum as it swings back and forth. They can vary the initial conditions (e.g., amplitude, length, mass) and observe how it affects the energy changes. This model can also be used to analyze the impact of external factors like air resistance, damping, or additional forces on the energy changes of the pendulum.