Does Potential Energy Always Decrease with Conservative Force?

AI Thread Summary
Potential energy does not always decrease in the direction of a conservative force. It is defined as the negative work done by the conservative force, meaning that when displacement is in the direction of the force, the potential energy difference is negative. However, in cases like an inverse square force, potential energy can increase in the direction of the force, as illustrated by the equation U = -A/r + c. This highlights that the relationship between potential energy and conservative forces can vary depending on the specific force involved. Understanding these nuances is crucial for analyzing energy changes in physical systems.
pratikaman
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is it true that potential energy of a particle always decreases in the direction of conservative force acting on it.
 
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hi pratikaman! :smile:
pratikaman said:
is it true that potential energy of a particle always decreases in the direction of conservative force acting on it.

potential energy is defined as minus the work done by a conservative force

so yes, if your displacement is in the direction of the force, the work done is positive, and so the potential energy difference is negative :wink:
 
ok take a inverse square force like A/r^2 always pointing towards origin. where 'A' is some constant and 'r' is distance from origin of force. then potential energy function for this is U= A/r + c . where c is arbitrary constant. then potential in this case increases in direction of force.
 
no, U= -A/r + c :wink:
 

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