Question

The potential energy of a particle moving on the x-axis in a force field is show in the figure ,below , the force on the particle

Answer 1

Explanation:

Potential energy function along x-axis in a certain force field is given as U(x)=

4

x

4

−2x

3

+

2

11

x

2

−6x

For the given force field

This question has multiple correct options

Hard

Answer

For equilibrium points,

dx

dU

=0 ⇒ x

3

−6x

2

+11x−6=0 ⇒ x=1,x=2 and x=3

In stable equilibrium,

dx

2

d

2

u

>0 ⇒ x=1 and x=3 are stable

while x=2 is unstable

In neutral equilibrium,

dx

dU

=0 and

dx

2

d

2

u

=0