Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance

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Questions and Answers

Define potential energy and give an example of a conservative force.

Potential energy is the energy possessed by a body due to its position or configuration. It is the work done to bring a body from a reference point to its current position. An example of a conservative force is the spring force, where potential energy is stored in a compressed or stretched spring.

How does the potential energy of a body change when an external force is removed?

When an external force is removed, the potential energy of a body decreases. This decrease in potential energy is equal to the increase in kinetic energy of the body.

What is the relationship between the spring force and the gravitational force?

Both the spring force and the gravitational force are examples of conservative forces. They have inverse-square dependence on distance and differ mainly in the proportionality constants: in the gravitational law, the masses are involved, while in Coulomb's law, the charges are involved.

Explain why the Coulomb force between two stationary charges is a conservative force.

<p>The Coulomb force between two stationary charges is a conservative force because it has inverse-square dependence on distance, similar to the spring force and the gravitational force. The potential energy of the charges can be defined based on their positions relative to each other, and this potential energy is conserved in the absence of external forces.</p>

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What happens to the sum of kinetic and potential energies of a body?

<p>The sum of kinetic and potential energies of a body is conserved. When the body gains kinetic energy, an equal amount of potential energy is lost, and vice versa. This conservation of energy holds true for conservative forces such as the spring force, gravitational force, and Coulomb force.</p>

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