Force from a Kinetic Energy Function

[Dustinc]

Say you're given a function that represents the kinetic energy of some object, what would you have to do to derive the force from that function? I know that for motion along a straight line a conservative force F(x) is the negative derivative of its associated potential energy function U, but what is there to do if the function is one of kinetic energy?

 

[Simon Bridge]

Conservation of energy and the work-energy relation will be useful in such cases.
You usually will need more information than kinetic energy with position alone.
Do you have an example.

Note: For a conservative field, the force on an object at a position is the negative gradient of the potential energy function at that position. Motion does not have to be along a straight line.

 

[nasu]

You posted this same thing in the homework section.
I mean the OP, of course.

 

[Simon Bridge]

https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=718422

 

[nasu]

Ok, now we have an infinite loop.
I can go forever between the two threads, by using your links.