All Questions
Tagged with definition potential-energy
73 questions
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Gravitational P.E = -Work done in bringing object from infinity or +ve
I was reading my textbook, then Wikipedia, both said "Gravitational potential energy is the mechanical work done by the gravitational force to bring the mass from a chosen reference point (often ...
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What exactly is voltage? What does it have to do with work? [duplicate]
I am a student and recently learned about electricity. I was reading about voltage. I see that the definition is the work done/charge. I think the work refers to the work done by the electrons as they ...
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Would a time-dependent gravitational force be conservative?
Under normal circumstances, the gravitational force near Earth's surface, $F_g = mg$ is clearly conservative. You can see this either by noting conceptually that the force is constant and work done by ...
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Defining potential energy [closed]
Let's say we are talking about gravitational potential energy, it is defined as:
At a point $X$, inside the gravitational field of mass $M$, the work done by an external agent to bring a mass $m$ ...
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In physics, what is the difference between a fact and a definition?
For example, I came across this statement:
"It is a fact that the components of force are derivatives of potential energy, but it is not a definition."
What does this statement mean?
I ...
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Confusion in definition of Potential Energy
Potential energy is defined like this. $ΔP.E=-W_{AB}$. This means that the potential energy at point A minus potential energy at point B should equal the negative of the work done by a conservative ...
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What is the difference between the potential energy and potential function in quantum mechanics?
In quantum mechanics, we study particles in various systems, such as an infinite potential well, a finite potential well, potential barriers, potential steps, harmonic oscillators, and so on. In all ...
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Confused about definition of gravitational potential energy (GPE)
The gravitational potential energy of a mass at a point in a field is defined as the work done by an external agent in bringing that mass from infinity to that point, without a change in kinetic ...
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What exactly is potential energy?
Consider a ball falling from a height $h$. It gains velocity because of the work done by gravity on it. I don't quite understand the role of potential energy here. What does the potential energy ...
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What is the difference between electrostatic and electric potential energy? [duplicate]
In circuits what is the difference between electrostatic and electric potential energy?
Side question does electrostatic potential energy even exist in a circuit?
user337772
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Potential energy definition
I am too much confused about the definition of potential energy. I am giving two different definitions below:
The negative of work done by conservative force to bring a mass from infinity to the ...
user325381
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2
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Is potential energy always defined by a position in a field?
Most potential energies appear to have their basis in a field, but do all? I know gravitational energy has the form $mgh$, which has a position term $h$ but no velocity. More "internal" ...
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Form of potential $V$ for conservative forces
Goldstein, Pg 21,3rd E.d writes
only if $V$ is not an explicit function of time is the system conservative
That means $V(r,\dot{r})$ is a conservative potential, however I think that only potentials ...
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Positive and negative Work, question
I have a question on the sign of the Work quantity. My understanding follows:
$$
W = \int_C \vec F \cdot d \vec S
$$
$$
W = -\Delta U, \qquad -W = \Delta U
$$
For direction and sign:
$$(-F, dx) = \...
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