Understanding the Relationship Between Potential Energy and Direction in Fields

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the relationship between potential energy and direction in fields, particularly in the context of gravitational and electric fields. Participants are exploring why direction is considered in force calculations but not in changes in potential energy.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are questioning the necessity of direction in potential energy changes compared to force. There is also inquiry into the relationship between field strength and the spacing of potential lines.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants seeking clarification on concepts and relationships. Some have expressed understanding of the implications of field line density on field strength, while others continue to explore foundational questions regarding potential energy.

Contextual Notes

There seems to be a focus on the interpretation of potential energy changes in relation to movement in fields, with some participants referencing specific scenarios like moving up or down stairs. The discussion also touches on the mathematical relationship between electric field strength and potential difference.

Angela Liang
Messages
36
Reaction score
1
Moved from technical forum so no template
Image1519119690.962307.jpg

Why do we not need to consider direction when determining the change in potential energy? Why do we need to consider it in case of force? Or am I interpreting the question correctly?
 

Attachments

  • Image1519119690.962307.jpg
    Image1519119690.962307.jpg
    48.2 KB · Views: 790
Physics news on Phys.org
Angela Liang said:
Why do we not need to consider direction when determining the change in potential energy?
Does it matter if you move stairs up or down if you are asked about your change in height above the ground?
Same thing here.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Angela Liang and sophiecentaur
Thanks! But why does the force increase and then decrease?
 
What is the relation between the field strength and the distance between the potential lines (in 50 V steps)?
 
mfb said:
What is the relation between the field strength and the distance between the potential lines (in 50 V steps)?
E=-dV/dx right?
 
Angela Liang said:
E=-dV/dx right?
Oh yea I got what you mean. Closer field lines means stronger field. Thanks!
 

Similar threads

Why does electric potential energy increase if you move against the field?
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Electric Potential Energy of Point Charge Systems
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
How does a simple circuit work?
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
1K
How to find the potential of a field that has regions of non-zero curl
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
Is potential energy defined only for internal conservative forces?
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
2K
Handling two SHMs in different directions
  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
1K
Help finding the change in potential energy in this problem
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
1K
The sign of the change in potential
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
955
Study of harmonic motion of a liquid in a V shaped tube
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
How can "work" done by a force be negative?
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
1K