The diagram shows a simple pendulum. Neglecting friction, what happens to the total mechanical energy as the pendulum swings from position A to position B? Responses It decreases. It decreases. It increases. It increases. It remains the same. It remains the same. It is not conserved.
The correct response is "It remains the same." The total mechanical energy of a pendulum is conserved as it swings from position A to position B, neglecting friction. The potential energy at position A is converted into kinetic energy as the pendulum swings downward, and then it is converted back into potential energy as the pendulum swings upward towards position B. Overall, the total mechanical energy (the sum of potential and kinetic energy) remains constant throughout the motion.
