Question #d603e

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Answer 1 · 2015-04-28T23:41:10

For a simple pendulum, it's is not often easy to find potential.

On the other hand, it is easier and for most cases, more useful to find the change in potential energy

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That is, #Delta"Pe"# instead of just #"Pe"#

#Delta"Pe" = mgDeltah#
#m =# mass
#g=# acceleration due to gravity
#Deltah = # change in height above the ground

But in fact, if we know the position of the ball above the ground, them we can calculate the Potential energy as #"Pe"=mgx_1# for example!

#Delta"Pe"# is more of interest because we can conserve energy.
Like this,
#mgDeltah=1/2mDeltav^2#