- #1
LovePhys
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Homework Statement
Homework Equations
dU/dx=-Fx
Conservation of energy
The Attempt at a Solution
Here are my solutions. Please feel free to correct me. Any help will be appreciated.
(a) I think that the particle is moving in the negative direction because the potential energy decreases (?)
(b) Use conservation of energy (total energy=4J, from the graph at x=0.5m): min potential energy=1J => max kinetic energy=3J => max speed=12.2m/s
(c)x=2.5m
(d)kinetic energy=4-3=1J => speed=7.1m/s
(e)I think the particle will change direction at the points where the derivative is 0. (I'm thinking about gravitational potential energy).
(f)Again, I think the answer is at points where the derivative is 0 since dU/dx=-Fx
By the way, I think this graph confuses me a bit. I tried without success to imagine the situation, and the teacher told me that it was going to be complicated since the graph was related to molecular bonds. Also, the problem did not state whether it involves only conservative force or not. Can anyone please make a comment on this graph? Thank you very much!
Love Phys