For a potential energy well graph, what points represents stable, unstable, and neutral equilibrium?

Stable equilibrium: Local minima (valleys) | Unstable equilibrium: Local maxima (peaks) | Neutral equilibrium: Flat regions

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For a potential energy well graph, what points represents stable, unstable, and neutral equilibrium?

Stable equilibrium: Local minima (valleys) | Unstable equilibrium: Local maxima (peaks) | Neutral equilibrium: Flat regions

How do you determine the force from a potential energy graph?

Find the slope of the potential energy curve at the point of interest. 2. Take the negative of that slope: $F_{x} = -\frac{dU(x)}{dx}$ .

How do you calculate the total potential energy of a multiple-object system?

Sum the potential energies of all pairs of interacting objects: U_total = U_12 + U_13 + U_23 + ...

How do you calculate the change in potential energy?

The change in potential energy (ΔU) is equal to the negative work done by conservative forces: $\Delta U = - \int_{a}^{b} \vec{F}_{cf}(r) \cdot d\vec{r}$

What are the key differences between conservative and non-conservative forces?

Conservative: Work is path-independent, net work in a closed loop is zero, potential energy exists (e.g., gravity). Non-conservative: Work is path-dependent, energy is dissipated (e.g., friction).

Compare and contrast stable and unstable equilibrium points in terms of potential energy.

Stable: Local minimum of potential energy, system returns to equilibrium after disturbance. Unstable: Local maximum of potential energy, system moves away from equilibrium after disturbance.

All Flashcards

For a potential energy well graph, what points represents stable, unstable, and neutral equilibrium?

Stable equilibrium: Local minima (valleys) | Unstable equilibrium: Local maxima (peaks) | Neutral equilibrium: Flat regions

How do you determine the force from a potential energy graph?

Find the slope of the potential energy curve at the point of interest. 2. Take the negative of that slope: $F_{x} = -\frac{dU(x)}{dx}$ .

How do you calculate the total potential energy of a multiple-object system?

Sum the potential energies of all pairs of interacting objects: U_total = U_12 + U_13 + U_23 + ...

How do you calculate the change in potential energy?

The change in potential energy (ΔU) is equal to the negative work done by conservative forces: $\Delta U = - \int_{a}^{b} \vec{F}_{cf}(r) \cdot d\vec{r}$

What are the key differences between conservative and non-conservative forces?

Conservative: Work is path-independent, net work in a closed loop is zero, potential energy exists (e.g., gravity). Non-conservative: Work is path-dependent, energy is dissipated (e.g., friction).

Compare and contrast stable and unstable equilibrium points in terms of potential energy.

Stable: Local minimum of potential energy, system returns to equilibrium after disturbance. Unstable: Local maximum of potential energy, system moves away from equilibrium after disturbance.