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  2. AP Physics 1 Revised
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How do you determine the force from a potential energy graph?

The conservative force in one dimension is the negative slope of the potential energy curve: Fx=−dU(x)dxF_{x} = -\frac{dU(x)}{dx}Fx​=−dxdU(x)​

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How do you determine the force from a potential energy graph?

The conservative force in one dimension is the negative slope of the potential energy curve: Fx=−dU(x)dxF_{x} = -\frac{dU(x)}{dx}Fx​=−dxdU(x)​

How do you calculate the total potential energy of a multiple-object system?

Sum the potential energies of all pairs of interacting objects: Utotal=U12+U13+U23+...U_{total} = U_{12} + U_{13} + U_{23} + ...Utotal​=U12​+U13​+U23​+...

What is potential energy?

Stored energy within a system due to the positions of its components.

What is a conservative force?

A force where the work done is independent of the path taken.

What is a non-conservative force?

A force that dissipates energy as heat and does not have an associated potential energy.

What is stable equilibrium?

A state where, if you nudge the system, it returns to its original position; corresponds to a local minimum on the potential energy curve.

What is unstable equilibrium?

A state where, if you nudge the system, it moves away from its original position; corresponds to a local maximum on the potential energy curve.

Define gravitational potential energy near Earth's surface.

The potential energy an object has due to its height above a reference point, given by the formula: ΔUg=mgΔy\Delta U_{g} = mg\Delta yΔUg​=mgΔy

How do you calculate total potential energy in a system with multiple objects?

  1. Identify all pairs of objects. 2. Calculate the potential energy for each pair. 3. Add up all the potential energy contributions.