Consider the following energy diagram for a 27 - gram particle which is free to
ID: 1904155 • Letter: C
Question
Consider the following energy diagram for a 27 - gram particle which is free to move in one dimension, specified by the x direction; the forces on that particle which are in the y and z directions always add to zero. The U(x) curve gives the total potential energy of the system consisting of the moving particle and all other particles with which it is interacting; all the other particles are in fixed positions. The 27 - gram particle might be a charged particle free to move about, while the other particles might be electric charges fixed at various locations surrounding the line on which the free particle is moving. At any location within the region for which the graph is drawn (from just to the left of point a to just to the right of point h), the sum of the conservative forces is the total force acting on the 27 - gram particle. Direction of the Net Force on the Particle When Located at Various Places on the x Axis If the 27 - gram particle were at point a, the net force acting on the particle would be in what direction? If the 27 - gram particle were at point b, the net force acting on the particle would be in what direction? If the 27 - gram particle were at point c, the net force acting on the particle would be in what direction? Properties of the Location b on the x Axis Point b is called a point of UNSTABLE EQUILIBRIUM. The following questions will ask you about some of the properties of point b. Suppose the 27 - gram particle were placed just to the right of point b. with zero initial kinetic energy. Describe the subsequent motion of the particle. The particle would remain at rest. The particle would accelerate to the right, but would return to the point of release without leaving the graphed region. The particle would accelerate to the left, and would leave the graphed region. The particle would accelerate to the right, and would leave the graphed region. The particle would initially accelerate to the left, but would end up oscillating back and forth around point b. Suppose the 27 - gram particle were placed just to the left of point b. with zero initial kinetic energy. Describe the subsequent motion of the particle. The particle would remain at rest. The particle would initially accelerate to the right, but would end up oscillating back and forth around point b. The particle would accelerate to the left, and would leave the graphed region. The particle would accelerate to the right, and would leave the graphed region. The particle would accelerate to the left, but would return to the point of release without leaving the graphed region.Explanation / Answer
a.in the X direction. b. force= 0 c. in negative X direction. d. the particle would accelerate to right and leave the graphed region e. particle accelerates to right and leave the region