A pendulum with 1kg weight is set in motion from a position .04 m above the lowest point on the path of the weight. What is the kinetic energy of the pendulum at the lowest point?
To calculate the kinetic energy of the pendulum at the lowest point, we need to know the velocity of the pendulum at that position.
The potential energy at the starting position (0.04 m above the lowest point) is converted into kinetic energy when the pendulum reaches the lowest point. According to the law of conservation of energy, the total energy remains constant. Therefore, the potential energy at the starting position is equal to the kinetic energy at the lowest point.
The potential energy of an object near the Earth's surface can be calculated using the equation:
Potential Energy (PE) = mass (m) * gravity (g) * height (h)
Given that the mass (m) of the pendulum weight is 1 kg, the acceleration due to gravity (g) is approximately 9.8 m/s², and the height (h) above the lowest point is 0.04 m, we can calculate the potential energy:
PE = 1 kg * 9.8 m/s² * 0.04 m = 0.392 J
Therefore, the kinetic energy of the pendulum at the lowest point is also 0.392 J (since it's equal to the potential energy).