Insights Blog
-- Browse All Articles --
Physics Articles
Physics Tutorials
Physics Guides
Physics FAQ
Math Articles
Math Tutorials
Math Guides
Math FAQ
Education Articles
Education Guides
Bio/Chem Articles
Technology Guides
Computer Science Tutorials
Forums
Intro Physics Homework Help
Advanced Physics Homework Help
Precalculus Homework Help
Calculus Homework Help
Bio/Chem Homework Help
Engineering Homework Help
Trending
Featured Threads
Log in
Register
What's new
Search
Search
Search titles only
By:
Intro Physics Homework Help
Advanced Physics Homework Help
Precalculus Homework Help
Calculus Homework Help
Bio/Chem Homework Help
Engineering Homework Help
Menu
Log in
Register
Navigation
More options
Contact us
Close Menu
JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an
alternative browser
.
Forums
Homework Help
Introductory Physics Homework Help
Work done on dipole and potential energy in uniform electric field
Reply to thread
Message
[QUOTE="Paul Colby, post: 6598748, member: 584221"] Let's talk about a simpler situation, doing work lifting a brick. If ##F## is the force you apply to the brick, then the work you do on the brick is, ##W = F\cdot \Delta S## where ##\Delta S## is the vector displacement of the brick. Well, to move the brick up you must push up. Both ##F## and ##\Delta S## are in the same direction so the work is positive. If the brick started at rest and is at rest when you finish lifting it, then ##W## is the change in the potential energy. If you stop pushing on the brick, it will fall acted upon by a force, ##F = -\nabla U.## The minus sign makes sense because the force must undo the increase of potential energy put in by lifting. [/QUOTE]
Insert quotes…
Post reply
Forums
Homework Help
Introductory Physics Homework Help
Work done on dipole and potential energy in uniform electric field
Back
Top