Goal: Hone the concept of conservative force
Source: UMPERG-ctqpe67
The
potential energy function for a certain body is shown at right. The
force associated with this potential is …
- conservative.
- dissipative.
- neither conservative or dissipative.
- Cannot be determined
Commentary:
Answer
(1) It is remarkable how many students will select one of the
other answers. Many students do not recognize that you cannot have a
potential function unless the force is conservative.