Physics for Scientists and Engineers: A Strategic Approach with Modern Physics (3rd Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0321740904
ISBN 13: 978-0-32174-090-8

Chapter 11 - Work - Conceptual Questions - Page 302: 8

Answer

a) No. b) No.

Work Step by Step

a) We know that the change in the potential energy of a system is given by $$\Delta U=-W$$ where the work $W$ is given by $W=Fd$ where $F$ is assumed to be a conservative force. $$\Delta U=-Fd$$ If $F=0$, then the change in potential energy of the system is zero, but it can still have some potential energy. So, the answer is no, the potential energy could be a nonzero value. ---- b) According to the same equation above, $$\Delta U=U_f-U_i=-Fd$$ when $U_f=0$ at some point that does not means that the force exerted on the object is zero. So, the answer is no, the force could be a nonzero value.
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