NCERT Solutions
Class 9 Science
Work and Energy

Q.15
Illustrate the law of conservation of energy by discussing the energy changes which occur when we draw a pendulum bob to one side and allow it to oscillate. Why do the bob eventually come to rest? What happens to its energy eventually? Is it a violation of the law of conservation of energy?
According to law of conservation of energy can neither be created nor be destroyed. It can only be converted from one form to another.
Consider the motion of an oscillating pendulum.
1. When a pendulum moves from its mean position (P) to either of its two extreme positions (A or B), it rises through a height above the mean level P.
2. Kinetic energy completely changes to potential energy.
3. Kinetic energy becomes 0, and now bob only possess potential energy.
4. As it moves towards the point P, its potential energy decreases progressively. Accordingly kinetic energy increases.
5. As the bob reaches the point P, its potential energy becomes 0 and the bob possess only kinetic energy.
6. This process keeps on repeating as long as pendulum oscillates.
7. Because of air resistance bob comes to rest.
8. The pendulum loses its kinetic energy to overcome this fiction and stops after some time.
9. The law of conservation of energy is not violated because energy lost by the pendulum is used to overcome the friction is gained by the surroundings.
10. Hence, the total energy of the pendulum and the surrounding system remain conserved.