What occurs to potential and kinetic energy in a swinging pendulum?

In a swinging pendulum, the motion involves a continuous exchange between potential energy and kinetic energy. When the pendulum is at its highest point, it has maximum potential energy and minimal kinetic energy, because it is momentarily at rest. As the pendulum swings downward towards its lowest point, the potential energy decreases while kinetic energy increases, reaching maximum kinetic energy at the lowest point of the swing. As it then swings back upward, kinetic energy converts back into potential energy until it reaches the next peak.

This energy transformation is a classic demonstration of the conservation of mechanical energy, where the total mechanical energy (the sum of potential and kinetic energy) remains constant in the absence of non-conservative forces like friction. Thus, the correct answer highlights the fundamental principle of energy transformation, showcasing how one form of energy converts into another throughout the motion of the pendulum.