Swings

    A swing is one of the most popular playground attractions, this is an activity suitable for all ages. Such a tried-and-true past time must be very complicated, right? Well not really.

    In reality, the swing is nothing more then a simple pendulum. A simple pendulum consists of an object suspended by a string of a said length.  This type of pendulum relies mainly on gravity to function.

Seen here the swing is in rest position, at this point the swing has no kinetic energy because it is not moving.

    After pushing the swing back and being ready to go, the swing has potential energy.  With its full amount of PE the swing is let go and accelerates down the swinging arc.  As the swing travels down the arc the PE decreases (due to less distance form the rest position *PE=mgh) and the KE increases with the increase in velocity  (KE=1/2mv^2).  When the swing stops on the other side it again has PE and no KE, this however will last for only a moment because the process repeats continuously (however the swing will eventually stop due to air resistance and friction).  

    Click on the button in the left margin to find out more!