All Flashcards
What happens when a spring is compressed or stretched?
Elastic potential energy is stored in the spring.
What happens when work is done by a conservative force?
There is a negative change in potential energy: (W = -Delta U).
What happens when the slope of a potential energy graph is zero?
The system is in equilibrium (no net force).
What happens when an object moves higher in a gravitational field (near Earth)?
Its gravitational potential energy increases: (Delta U = mgDelta h).
What happens when the distance between two masses increases?
The gravitational potential energy becomes less negative (increases).
What are the differences between conservative and dissipative forces?
Conservative Forces: Path independent, total work in a closed path is zero. Dissipative Forces: Path dependent, energy is lost from the system (usually as heat).
What are the differences between gravitational potential energy near Earth and at large distances?
Near Earth: Uniform field, (Delta U = mgDelta h). Large Distances: Non-uniform field, (U = -frac{Gm_1m_2}{r}).
What is the definition of Hooke's Law?
The force exerted by an ideal spring is proportional to the displacement from its equilibrium position: (F_s = -k Delta x)
What is the definition of spring constant (k)?
A measure of a spring's stiffness; a larger k means the spring is harder to stretch.
What is the definition of elastic potential energy?
The energy stored in a spring due to its deformation: (U_s = frac{1}{2}k(Delta x)^2)
What is a conservative force?
A force where the work done is independent of the path taken; it only depends on the initial and final positions.
What is the definition of gravitational potential energy near Earth?
The change in potential energy due to a change in height in a uniform gravitational field: (Delta U = mgDelta h)
What is the general formula for gravitational potential energy?
The gravitational potential energy between two masses at a distance r: (U = -frac{Gm_1m_2}{r})