A bowling ball swings back & forth on a rope. At its lowest position, is its kinetic energy:?

Question

less than, greater than, or the same as its potential energy at that point?

Answer 1

Total energy TE = PE + KE + W; where PE is potential energy, KE is kinetic energy and W is work. The conservation of energy specifies that energy is neither created nor destroyed; so the TE of that bowling ball is the same no matter where it is in its swing. Let's see how that works.

Total energy at the top of the ball's swing is TE(T) = PE + KE + W; where PE = mgh and h is the vertical distance from the bottom of the swing to the point where the ball of mass m stops at the top of its swing, KE = 0, and W = 0. This all follows because, at the top of the swing, there is no velocity; so 1/2 mv^2 = KE = 0. Further, there is no work being done on or by the ball of mass m because it is not moving a distance d with or against some force at that point. That is W = Fd and d = 0.

At the bottom of the swing, we have TE(B) = PE + KE + W; and PE = 0 because h = 0, W = 0 again because d = 0 at that moment, and KE = 1/2 mv^2 > 0 because v > 0.

But, because of the conservation of energy, we have TE(T) = PE = mgh = 1/2 mv^2 = KE = TE(B). Thus, the potential energy at the top of the swing is exactly equal to the kinetic energy of the ball at the bottom of its swing. Note: If you solve for v, you will find v = sqrt(2gh) which is a well known equation in HS physics.

Answer 2

A swinging ball is exactly like a pendulum. At two extremes its velocity will be minimum (zero), and at the mean point the velocity will be maximum. The two extremes are the highest points and the mean position is its lowest position. At the extremes ,as the ball is at rest and at a height, its Kinetic energy will be zero.(KE = ½mv², v=0.so , KE =0). At the mean position , its height is minimum; (h=0, hence, Potential Energy, mgh=0) and its speed is maximum.(v=max, & hence the KE =Maximum. (KE = ½mv²). Hence, the answer is "At the lowest position its Kinetic Energy is greater than its potential energy at that point"

Answer 3

A bowling ball swinging to and fro on a rope at its lowest position {when rope is fixed and perpendicular to the ground level } will experience kinetic energy greater than its potential energy . Because the K.E. is maximum at this position while P.E. is minimum compared to maximum P.E.and minimum K.E. at the end of each SWING position

Answer 4

In a moving pendulum, kinetic energy is max at the bottom of the swing and min at the top of the swing. The balls potential energy is max at the top of the swing and min at the bottom of the swing.

Answer 5

depends......

its for sure that kinetic energy would be greater than the highest position but other criteria is that at what hight is the rope from the ground.

all three are possible

Answer 6

the kinetic energy at this point is the greatest, while the potential energy is zero.

Answer 7

if it doesn't hit the ground it is less.

Answer 8

less than.