Why is force the negative gradient of potential energy?

[octol]

I have a question over a thing that I've been thinking about lately, and that is why is it that

$$F = -\frac{dV}{dx}$$

where $$V$$ is a potential? I don't remember seeing an explanation for that during my course in classical mechanics.

 

[Astronuc]

This might help - http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/pegrav.html.

That's a definition.

 

[reilly]

Go back and look at your mechanics text, or any freshman physics text.
Regards,
Reilly Atkinson