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A2L Item 148

Meta-Information
Description: 
Characterize the force associated with a potential energy function.
Goal: 
Hone the concept of conservative force
Level: 
Undergraduate
Keywords: 
Forces
Keywords: 
Mechanics
Keywords: 
Potential Energy
Source: 
UMPERG-ctqpe67

The potential energy function for a certain body is shown at right. The force associated with this potential is …

  1. conservative.
  2. dissipative.
  3. neither conservative or dissipative.
  4. 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.