Pedulum, and it's characteristics

[teggenspiller]

Homework Statement

A pendulum, 2.0 m in length, is released with a push when the string is at an angle of 25 o from the vertical. If the initial speed of the pendulum bob is 1.2 m/s, what is its speed at the bottom of the swing?

Homework Equations

My question is:

which component of the below triangle i attempted to draw is the 2.O meter i was given.

the stationary, 'stick' part of the pendulum?
or the string it is on?

The Attempt at a Solution

Little things like this could REALLY mess someone up on a test.


|\<---angle of 25*
| \
| \
| \
a b

im guessing b. but whatyall think?

 

[teggenspiller]

Also, the reason I am asking is cause I think i need to find the HEIGHT to get the potential energy initial..

am i right baout this?

and to get the height i will need to use the sine or cosine function, but wghich?