investigate that energy transfer in a pendulum and bungee

Physics · High School · Thu Feb 04 2021

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The energy transfer in both a pendulum and a bungee jumper involves the conversion of potential energy to kinetic energy and back. Let's look at each case:

Pendulum: 1. At its highest point (the point of release), the pendulum has maximum potential energy and zero kinetic energy because it is momentarily at rest. 2. As the pendulum swings downward under the force of gravity, the potential energy is converted into kinetic energy, causing the pendulum to accelerate. 3. At the lowest point of its path, the pendulum has its maximum kinetic energy and minimum potential energy, as it is moving at its fastest. 4. As the pendulum begins to swing upward, the kinetic energy is converted back into potential energy, causing the pendulum to decelerate. 5. The pendulum reaches its highest point on the opposite side, again having maximum potential energy and momentarily coming to a stop before repeating the cycle.

Bungee jumper: 1. When the bungee jumper is about to jump, they possess maximum potential energy due to their position high above the ground. 2. As the jumper falls, potential energy is converted to kinetic energy, causing an increase in speed. 3. Just as the pendulum, at the point of full extension of the bungee cord, the jumper has the maximum kinetic energy. 4. When the bungee cord begins to stretch and exert an upward force, the kinetic energy starts to be converted into elastic potential energy in the cord. 5. At the lowest point, when the bungee cord is fully stretched, the kinetic energy has been mostly transferred to elastic potential energy, and the jumper slows, momentarily stops, and then starts to rebound upwards.