How does kinetic energy and potential energy change into each other and back again?
1 Answer
Below
Explanation:
Think of a pendulum
When the pendulum is at the highest point of the swing, there is no kinetic energy but there is gravitational potential energy. This is because at that point, it has the potential energy to do work but since it isn't moving, there is no kinetic energy.
However, once the pendulum is released, it is moving. Hence, kinetic energy increases while gravitational potential energy decreases since work is being done.
When the pendulum reaches the "middle", there is maximum kinetic energy and very little gravitational potential energy. As it moves to the other side of the highest point of the swing, kinetic energy decreases and gravitational potential energy increases again.
