What happens to the potential energy of a pendulum at its maximum height?

At the maximum height of a pendulum, the potential energy is at its highest point. This is because potential energy is directly related to the height of an object in a gravitational field. As the pendulum swings upward, it converts kinetic energy (energy of motion) into potential energy (stored energy due to height). At the very top of its swing, the pendulum momentarily comes to a stop before reversing direction, which means it has maximum height and, consequently, maximum potential energy at that point.

The concept of potential energy in this context is tied to gravitational force; the higher the object is positioned against gravity, the more potential energy it possesses. This is described by the potential energy formula, PE = mgh, where m is mass, g is the acceleration due to gravity, and h is the height above a reference level. Thus, when the pendulum reaches its peak height, height (h) is maximized, resulting in maximum potential energy.