A pendulum is a cool way to see how potential energy and kinetic energy work!
Potential Energy: When the pendulum is at the very top, it has the most potential energy (PE). This happens because it’s high up and ready to swing down. You can think of potential energy as stored energy.
Kinetic Energy: As the pendulum swings down, it gets lower and its potential energy changes into kinetic energy (KE). When the pendulum is at the bottom, it has the most kinetic energy. Kinetic energy is how fast something is moving.
Cycle: This change between potential and kinetic energy keeps happening over and over as the pendulum swings. This shows how energy is conserved, or kept the same, in a system.
You can make your own pendulum at home with a piece of string and a weight. It’s a fun way to see these energy changes for yourself!
A pendulum is a cool way to see how potential energy and kinetic energy work!
Potential Energy: When the pendulum is at the very top, it has the most potential energy (PE). This happens because it’s high up and ready to swing down. You can think of potential energy as stored energy.
Kinetic Energy: As the pendulum swings down, it gets lower and its potential energy changes into kinetic energy (KE). When the pendulum is at the bottom, it has the most kinetic energy. Kinetic energy is how fast something is moving.
Cycle: This change between potential and kinetic energy keeps happening over and over as the pendulum swings. This shows how energy is conserved, or kept the same, in a system.
You can make your own pendulum at home with a piece of string and a weight. It’s a fun way to see these energy changes for yourself!