A student is demonstrating the transformation of kinetic and potential energy in a system using the pendulum shown below.
image 2a640aaa81ca4b0db3c7f54a87bd9dc8
At which point in this system does the pendulum bob demonstrate minimum potential energy?
To determine the point at which the pendulum bob demonstrates minimum potential energy, we need to understand the concepts of potential energy in a pendulum.
The potential energy in a pendulum system is maximum at its highest point (maximum displacement from equilibrium) and minimum at its lowest point (equilibrium position).
In the given image, the pendulum bob is at its lowest point, which is the equilibrium position. At this point, the bob is at its lowest displacement from its rest (vertical) position, and therefore, it has the minimum potential energy.