All Flashcards
What is potential energy?
Stored energy within a system due to the positions of its components.
What is a conservative force?
A force where the work done is independent of the path taken.
What is a non-conservative force?
A force that dissipates energy as heat and does not have an associated potential energy.
What is stable equilibrium?
A state where, if you nudge the system, it returns to its original position; corresponds to a local minimum on the potential energy curve.
What is unstable equilibrium?
A state where, if you nudge the system, it moves away from its original position; corresponds to a local maximum on the potential energy curve.
Define gravitational potential energy near Earth's surface.
The potential energy an object has due to its height above a reference point, given by the formula:
What is the effect of increasing the compression of a spring?
Increases the elastic potential energy stored in the spring.
What happens to gravitational potential energy as an object moves closer to the Earth?
Gravitational potential energy decreases (becomes more negative).
What is the effect of friction on a system's potential energy?
Friction converts some potential energy into thermal energy, reducing the amount of potential energy available.
What happens when a spring is stretched or compressed?
Elastic potential energy is stored in the spring.
What happens when the height of an object above the ground increases?
The gravitational potential energy of the object increases.
How do you calculate total potential energy in a system with multiple objects?
- Identify all pairs of objects. 2. Calculate the potential energy for each pair. 3. Add up all the potential energy contributions.