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

  1. Find the slope of the potential energy curve at the point of interest. 2. Take the negative of that slope: Fx=−dU(x)dxF_{x} = -\frac{dU(x)}{dx}.
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How do you determine the force from a potential energy graph?

  1. Find the slope of the potential energy curve at the point of interest. 2. Take the negative of that slope: Fx=−dU(x)dxF_{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: ΔU=−∫abF⃗cf(r)⋅dr⃗\Delta U = - \int_{a}^{b} \vec{F}_{cf}(r) \cdot d\vec{r}

What is the effect of positive work done by a conservative force?

Decreases potential energy.

What is the effect of negative work done by a conservative force?

Increases potential energy.

What is the effect of steeper slopes on a potential energy graph?

Larger forces.

What is the effect of flat regions on a potential energy graph?

Zero force.

What is the effect of compressing a spring?

It stores elastic potential energy.

What is the difference between general gravitational potential energy and gravitational potential energy near Earth's surface?

General: U=−GMmrU = -\frac{GMm}{r} (variable distance) | Near Earth: DeltaU=mgDeltayDelta U = mgDelta y (constant gravitational field).

Differentiate between conservative and non-conservative forces.

Conservative: store energy, path-independent | Non-conservative: dissipate energy, path-dependent.