Tagged Questions
2
votes
4answers
101 views
Potential energy sign conventions
Almost every book on physics that I read have some weird and non-clear explanations regarding the potential energy. Ok, I do understand that if we integrate a force over some path, we'll get a ...
0
votes
2answers
60 views
Why is potential energy negative when orbiting in a gravitational field?
I had to do a problem, and part of it was to find the mechanical energy of satellite orbiting around mars, and I had all of the information I needed. I thought the total mechanical energy would be the ...
1
vote
2answers
48 views
Center of mass problem
According to the definition of potential energy, we use $U= mhg .
$
In the figure below ,
A thin uniform rod of mass m and length h is positioned vertically above an anchored frictionless pivot ...
0
votes
2answers
49 views
Escape velocity to intersection of two gravitational fields
Find the minimal velocity needed for a meteorite of mass $m$ to get to
earth from the moon. Hint: the distance between the center of earth
and the center of moon is $\approx 60 R_E$, and the ...
1
vote
1answer
79 views
Gravitational potential energy of mass between two planets
Suppose I want to launch a rocket from earth to some point $O$ between the center of earth and the center of moon (on a straight line connecting their centers), where the gravitational force of the ...
0
votes
0answers
37 views
Maximum Height of Potato [closed]
I have a bit of a problem. We made potato launchers and launched the potato's into the air. I need to find out what the maximum height my potato reached was. The givens I have are the following:
Mass ...
1
vote
1answer
74 views
Given a potential energy function, find expression of the force of a particle?
This comes from an AP review packet. I'm given a potential energy functon, $$U(r)=br^{-3/2} + c,$$ where $b$ and $c$ are constants, and need to find the expression for the force on the particle.
...
1
vote
2answers
69 views
Potential energy during vertical fall
Suppose I have a weightless spring connected perpendicularly to the ground, and it has on top of it some weightless surface. Now, I release some sticky object from height $h$ above the system of light ...
1
vote
0answers
133 views
Potential energy of a spring
I have a little problem with the potential energy of a spring... I hope you can help me!
I have two coupled pendula, given by two masses $m$ fixed to two rigid bars (that haven't any mass) and with ...
2
votes
5answers
267 views
Is there a mathematical derivation of potential energy that is *not* rooted in the conservation of energy?
For simplicity I'll consider only gravity, but in general this question only applies to conservative forces.
As per my understanding, the way one gets to the equation for gravitational potential ...
2
votes
2answers
251 views
Lever Mechanics - How to formulate an ideal lever launch
Let's say I have a simple lever as shown below, and the lever is massless and the pivot is frictionless and there is no air resistance. I'm thinking the cradle for the projectile would have to have a ...
1
vote
2answers
221 views
Could someone remind me what this means again? $\nabla U = \pm F$
You know that for a potential function (conservative force/fields) that
$\nabla U = \pm \vec{F}$
In math, we don't have that minus sign, we have only the plus one.
What does it mean if you get rid ...
