Q) A pendulum with a bob of 100 g is initially displaced from its equilibrium position and released from a height of 60 cm above the equilibrium. Upon release, it undergoes simple harmonic motion (SHM) without any energy losses to its surroundings. a) What is the type of energy the pendulum possesses at the point of release?
b) Calculate the amount of this type of energy at the point of release.
c) What happens to this type of energy as the bob starts moving towards its equilibrium position?
d) What is the type of energy the pendulum possesses at its equilibrium position?
e) Calculate the maximum speed of the bob of the pendulum as it swings back and forth in SHM.
f) Suppose we were to design a harmonic oscillator with a mass of 100 g to move with the same maximum speed as the pendulum. What would the stiffness of the spring need to be if we assume the harmonic oscillator to have a maximum horizontal displacement of that is half of the initial vertical displacement of the pendulum?