Tue, 05 May 2026 05:31:28 +0000

A physics lab compares kinetic energy of two pendulums. One of mass 2.4 kg swings to a height of 1.5 m, the other of mass 1.8 kg to 2.0 m. Which has greater kinetic energy at the low point? Calculate both.
This question reflects a growing curiosity about energy dynamics in simple mechanical systems—relevant across classrooms, home experiments, and STEM exploration in the US. As interest in physics basics rises, especially among students, instructors, and hobbyists, understanding how height and mass translate into motion energy becomes both practical and revealing. In modern physics education and hands-on lab settings, pendulum experiments remain foundational for demonstrating energy transformation. Potential energy at maximum swing height converts directly into kinetic energy at the lowest point in the arc. Even with differing masses and initial heights, the interplay of mass and gravity shapes the final energy output. Interpreting such scenarios deepens comprehension of fundamental physics principles tied to energy conservation and motion transfer. This lab setup—2.4 kg swinging to 1.5 meters versus 1.8 kg to 2.0 meters—invites calculation to compare both scenarios clearly. While mass influences gravitational potential energy at suspension height, the release motion’s conversion to kinetic energy depends on how efficiently that energy transforms at the downward swing. Understanding this relationship builds intuitive proficiency in energy dynamics without requiring complex formulas. To determine which pendulum releases greater kinetic energy at the low point, the first step is calculating potential energy at peak height using the formula PE = mgh. For the first pendulum: mass = 2.4 kg, height = 1.5 m, gravitational acceleration g ≈ 9.8 m/s². Multiplying, PE = 2.4 × 9.8 × 1.5 = 35.28 joules. Next, the second pendulum: mass = 1.8 kg to 2.0 m—varying mass affects potential energy similarly. For the lower mass at 2.0 m: PE = 1.8 × 9.8 × 2.0 = 35.28 joules, while the 1.8 kg pendulum at 1.5 m yields 1.8 × 9.8 × 1.5 = 26.46 joules. These calculations reveal a critical insight: despite different masses and heights, specific combinations yield comparable energy outputs—but the distribution differs significantly.