CAIE A-Level Physics AS 5.2.2 The Formula Ep Mg H for Gravitational Potential Energy Changes in a Questions
Apply kinetic energy relationships, including Ek = ½mv², to calculate energy and speed.
- Syllabus
- 2028–2030
- Course
- Physics 9702
- Level
- AS
Apply kinetic energy relationships, including Ek = ½mv², to calculate energy and speed.
A pendulum consists of a solid sphere suspended by a string from a fixed point P , as shown in Fig. 3.1.
Fig. 3.1 (not to scale)
The sphere swings from side to side. At one instant the sphere is at its lowest position X , where it has kinetic energy 0.86 J and momentum 0.72 Ns in a horizontal direction. A short time later the sphere is at position Y , where it is momentarily stationary at a maximum vertical height h above position X.
The string has a fixed length and negligible weight. Air resistance is also negligible.
Calculate height h.
(Δ)E=mg(Δ)hh=0.86/(0.30×9.81)=0.29 m