Question detail
A pendulum is modelled as a closed system with negligible air resistance. What happens to its total energy?
Try the question, check the answer, then read the explanation to understand the curriculum point.
At a glance
MCQ
Type
practice
Style
Topic
Conservation and dissipation of energy
Question
- A. The total energy remains constant as it transfers between kinetic and gravitational stores.
- B. The total energy becomes zero at the bottom of the swing.
- C. The total energy increases each time the pendulum rises.
- D. The total energy leaves the system as soon as the pendulum moves.
Answer
The total energy remains constant as it transfers between kinetic and gravitational stores.
Explanation
The pendulum transfers energy between gravitational potential and kinetic stores. With negligible air resistance and a closed-system model, the total is constant even though the distribution between stores changes.
Common mistake
Misunderstanding Closed Systems
Students often think that energy can be created or destroyed in a closed system.
Emphasize that in a closed system, energy is conserved and can only be transferred or transformed, not created or destroyed.
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