When does a pendulum bob move fastest and why?
A pendulum bob will move fastest when the mass is at its lowest point (when x=0). The reason for this is that in the pendulum system energy is transferred between kinetic and gravitational potential energy, and total energy will always be fixed in the system. Gravitational potential energy will be at its minimum when the bob is at the lowest point, meaning that kinetic energy will be at its maximum, resuting in the bob moving fastest at this point.
JB
Related Physics A Level answers
All answers ▸A man weighing 600N steps on a scale that contains a spring. The spring is compressed 1cm under their weight. Find the force constant of the spring and total work done on its compression.
What causes or reduces resistance in a material?
A block of mass (m) is placed on a rough slope inclined at an angle (a) to the horizontal, find an expression in terms of (a) for the smallest coefficient of friction (x), such that the block does not fall down the slope.
What are quarks?