Question

A trapeze artist swings back and forth on a bar high above the circus ring.


Which best describes the physics behind the motion of the trapeze artist, assuming a frictionless environment?



A.
Swinging backward toward the top of the circus tent, increases potential energy (PE). As the trapeze artist swings down, kinetic energy (KE) increases because of acceleration due to gravity. At the bottom of the swing, the PE equals the KE.


B.
Swinging backward toward the top of the circus tent and against gravity increases potential energy (PE). At the low point of the swing, all