Potential energy from force

  • #1
RubroCP
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Homework Statement:
##F(x)=\alpha x-\beta x^3##
Relevant Equations:
##-\frac{\mathrm{d}V(x)}{\mathrm{d}x}=F(x)##
If I have a force that behaves according to the formula ##F(x)=\alpha x-\beta x^3##, how can I get the potential energy from it? I know that:
$$-\frac{\mathrm{d}V(x)}{\mathrm{d}x}=F(x),$$
but what about the limits of the integration?
 

Answers and Replies

  • #2
Orodruin
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The integration constant is not physical as it does not affect the force. It is up to you to choose the zero-level of the potential.
 
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  • #3
RubroCP
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The integration constant is not physical as it does not affect the force. It is up to you to choose the zero-level of the potential.
So can I say without loss of generality that for x = 0 the potential is also null?
 
  • #4
Orodruin
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Yes, this will not affect the physics.
 
  • #5
RubroCP
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