All Flashcards
What is the effect of positive work done by a conservative force on potential energy?
It decreases potential energy.
What is the effect of negative work done by a conservative force on potential energy?
It increases potential energy.
What happens when a spring is compressed or stretched from its equilibrium position?
Elastic potential energy is stored in the spring, given by
What is the effect of increasing the separation between two masses on their gravitational potential energy?
The gravitational potential energy becomes less negative (increases), approaching zero as separation approaches infinity.
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.