Unit: Work and Energy
Year: 1994 Question#: 22
Question: In the diagram below, an ideal pendum released from point A swings freely through point B. Compared to the pendulum's kinetic energy at A, its potential energy at B is:
(1 ) half as great
(2 ) twice as great
(3 ) the same
(4 ) four times as great
What is this question really asking?
Explanation by: Kristina A
[ Return to question menu ]
Answer 1
half as great
INCORRECT
The KE at A is 0 joules (no motion) and the GPE at B is 0 joules. therefore the kinetic energy at A can't be half as great as the PE at B. return to top
Answer 2
twice as great
NCORRECT
The KE at A is 0 joules (no motion) and the GPE at B is 0 joules. therefore the kinetic energy at A can't be twice as great as the PE at B. return to top
Answer 3
the same
CORRECT
The Kinetic Energy at A is 0 Joules because the pendulum is not in motion. The Gravitational Potential Energy at B is also 0 Joules because it is at the lowest point of its swing. return to top
Answer 4
four times as great
INCORRECT
The KE at A is 0 joules (no motion) and the GPE at B is 0 joules. therefore the kinetic energy at A can't be four times as great as the PE at B. return to top
What's this question really asking?
The question is testing if you know what Kinetic and Potential energy are and how to apply them to an object in motion. return to top
