Answer:
0.2 J
Explanation:
The pendulum forms a right triangle, with hypotenuse of 50 cm and base of 30 cm. Â The height of this triangle can be found with Pythagorean theorem:
c² = a² + b²
(50 cm)² = a² + (30 cm)²
a = 40 cm
The height of the triangle is 40 cm. Â The height of the pendulum when it is at the bottom is 50 cm. Â So the end of the pendulum is lifted by 10 cm. Â Assuming the mass is concentrated at the end of the pendulum, the potential energy is:
PE = mgh
PE = (0.200 kg) (9.8 N/kg) (0.10 m)
PE = 0.196 J
Rounding to one significant figure, the potential energy is 0.2 J.