Discuss the changes in the potential and kinetic energy of a roller-coaster ride as the roller-coaster car descends from the top of the ramp.

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Welcome back. Everyone describe the changes in potential and kinetic energy of a pendulum as it swings back and forth. Choice. A states that potential and kinetic energy of the pendulum is always equal throughout its swing. Choice B states that the potential energy is maximum at the bottom of the arc. While the kinetic energy is maximum at the top of the arc. Choice C states that the potential energy is maximum at the top. While kinetic energy is maximum at the bottom. And choice D states that the potential energy and kinetic energy remain constant throughout the swing. So we're going to begin by drawing a quick sketch of a pendulum which is going to be swinging back and forth. So we're going to show its motion swinging. We want to note down that when a pendulum is swinging the top of the arc, when it swings will correspond to the highest point of our pendulum, which corresponds to its maximum potential energy. And since our pendulum would be briefly motionless at this point, it's going to have a kinetic energy equal to zero. Now, once our pendulum falls to a lower level, we would have a conversion between our potential energy to kinetic energy. So we have a conversion of energy and now at the bottom of our arc, which is the lowest point of our pendulum as we've drawn in our pendulum has undergone its maximum kinetic energy and has minimal potential energy. And this is because at this point, at the bottom of our arc being the lowest point of our pendulum, most if not all of the potential energy has been converted to kinetic energy. Hence why we have maximum kinetic energy. And overall, as our pendulum swings to back and forth, we have our continuum of our conversion between potential energy to kinetic energy. So looking at our answer choices, we can already rule out choice. A because it states that the potential in kinetic energy is equal throughout its swing. We saw that not to be true based on what we've outlined since the kinetic and potential energy will constantly change as they swing back and forth. So we would correct this to say that they constantly change. Next. We can also rule out choice B and this is because it states that the potential energy is maximum at the bottom of the arc, we understand that this should say minimum and it says that the kinetic energy is maximum at the top of the arc where we would understand that the kinetic energy is going to be minimum at the top of the arc because it's the potential energy that is maximum at the top of the arc, we can also rule out choice D because it states that potential and kinetic energy remain constant throughout the swing. And we understand that potential energy and kinetic energy will be inter converted throughout the swing. This leaves us with choice C as the only correct choice which describes the changes in potential and kinetic energy as the pendulum swings where the potential energy will be maximum at the top of the arc, which is the highest point of our pendulum. While the kinetic energy is maximum at the bottom of the arc being our lowest point of our pendulum. So c is our final answer. I hope this made sense and let us know if you have any questions.

Discuss the changes in the potential and kinetic energy of a roller-coaster ride as the roller-coaster car descends from the top of the ramp.

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Key Concepts

Potential Energy

Kinetic Energy

Conservation of Energy