Given in Fig. 5.11 are examples of some potential energy functions in one dimension. The total energy of the particle is indicated by a cross on the ordinate axis. In each case, specify the regions, if any, in which the particle cannot be found for the given energy. Also, indicate the minimum total energy the particle must have in each case. Think of simple physical contexts for which these potential energy shapes are relevant.
(A)

(B)

(C)

(D)

x > a; 0
Total energy of a system is given by the relation: E = P.E. + K. E.
∴K.E. = E – P.E.
Kinetic energy of a body is a positive quantity. It cannot be negative. Therefore, the particle will not exist in a region where K.E. becomes negative.
In the given case, the potential energy (V0) of the particle becomes greater than total energy (E) for x > a. Hence, kinetic energy becomes negative in this region. Therefore, the particle will not exist is this region. The minimum total energy of the particle is zero.
All regions
In the given case, the potential energy (V0) is greater than total energy (E) in all regions. Hence, the particle will not exist in this region.
x > a and x < b; –V1
In the given case, the condition regarding the positivity of K.E. is satisfied only in the region between x > a and x < b.
The minimum potential energy in this case is - V1.
Therefore, K.E = E - (-V1) = E + V1.
Therefore, for the positivity of the kinetic energy, the totaol energy of the particle must be greater than –V1. So, the minimum total energy the particle must have is - V1.
\(-\frac{ b }{ 2} < x < \frac{a }{ 2};\frac{ a }{ 2} < x < \frac{b }{2} ; - V_1.\)
In the given case, the potential energy (V0) of the particle becomes greater than the total energy (E) for \(- \frac{b }{ 2} < x < \frac{b }{ 2}\) and \(\frac{a }{ 2} < x < \frac{a }{ 2}\). Therefore, the particle will not exist in these regions.
The minimum potential energy in this case is -V1. Therefore, K.E = E - (-V1) = E + V1. Therefore, for the positivity of the kinetic energy, the total energy of the particle must be greater than –V1. So, the minimum total energy the particle must have is -V1.
A rain drop of radius 2 mm falls from a height of 500 m above the ground. It falls with decreasing acceleration (due to viscous resistance of the air) until at half its original height, it attains its maximum (terminal) speed, and moves with uniform speed thereafter. What is the work done by the gravitational force on the drop in the first and second half of its journey ? What is the work done by the resistive force in the entire journey if its speed on reaching the ground is 10 m s–1 ?
A rain drop of radius 2 mm falls from a height of 500 m above the ground. It falls with decreasing acceleration (due to viscous resistance of the air) until at half its original height, it attains its maximum (terminal) speed, and moves with uniform speed thereafter. What is the work done by the gravitational force on the drop in the first and second half of its journey ? What is the work done by the resistive force in the entire journey if its speed on reaching the ground is 10 m s–1 ?
Answer carefully, with reasons :
(a) In an elastic collision of two billiard balls, is the total kinetic energy conserved during the short time of collision of the balls (i.e. when they are in contact) ?
(b) Is the total linear momentum conserved during the short time of an elastic collision of two balls ?
(c) What are the answers to (a) and (b) for an inelastic collision ?
(d) If the potential energy of two billiard balls depends only on the separation distance between their centres, is the collision elastic or inelastic ? (Note, we are talking here of potential energy corresponding to the force during collision, not gravitational potential energy).
State if each of the following statements is true or false. Give reasons for your answer.
(a) In an elastic collision of two bodies, the momentum and energy of each body is conserved.
(b) Total energy of a system is always conserved, no matter what internal and external forces on the body are present.
(c) Work done in the motion of a body over a closed loop is zero for every force in nature.
(d) In an inelastic collision, the final kinetic energy is always less than the initial kinetic energy of the system.
Work is the product of the component of the force in the direction of the displacement and the magnitude of this displacement.
W = Force × Distance
Where,
Work (W) is equal to the force (f) time the distance.
W = F d Cos θ
Where,
W = Amount of work, F = Vector of force, D = Magnitude of displacement, and θ = Angle between the vector of force and vector of displacement.
The SI unit for the work is the joule (J), and it is defined as the work done by a force of 1 Newton in moving an object for a distance of one unit meter in the direction of the force.
Work formula is used to measure the amount of work done, force, or displacement in any maths or real-life problem. It is written as in Newton meter or Nm.