Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Force and Potential Energy

Introduction to force and potential energy:

The force is a physical quantity which is difficult to describe because it is not possible to see it. However, it is possible to observe its effects in our daily life. In general a force can be described as a push, a pull, stretch and squeeze.

The force can also be described as that which changes the state of a body. For example, if a body is at rest, then a force applied to it can set it in motion. If the body is in motion then the force can its speed or its direction of motion or even bring the body to rest.I like to share this Potential Energy Equation with you all through my article.


Examples of Force


When force is applied to stretch a spring or to compress it, then there is a change in its length. The shape of sponge can be changed by applying a force. When air is filled in a balloon, then the force exerted by the air changed its shape. Plaster of Paris or plasticize can be molded into suitable shaped by applying suitable forces. A gas in a cylinder can be compressed so that it is forced to occupy smaller volume.

Having problem with Definition of Specific Heat keep reading my upcoming posts, i will try to help you.

About Potential energy


Potential energy is possessed by a body due to its position with respect to another body. The potential energy of a body with respect to the earth is measured by amount of work in lifting it through a certain vertical height.

A body o mass m is to be raised through a height h. The force with which the body, is attracted by the earth is its weight mg. To lift the body an equal and opposite force has to be applied.

PE = Work done to lift the body

= Force x displacement

PE =mg h

The total amount of energy in the universe always remains a constant, that is, neither any more energy can be destroyed, but energy can be changed from one form into another form.

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