Question
A body is dropped from a height h. Plot the potential energy curve versus distance fallen by body.
Solution
Consider the ground as the reference point.
Let at any instant, the body fall by distance d.
Therefore the position of body from ground is,
x = h - d
The potential energy of body at that position is,
U = mgx= mg(h-d)
= mgh - mgd
The graph between potential energy Vs. distance fallen by the body is a straight line as shown in figure below.
Let at any instant, the body fall by distance d.
Therefore the position of body from ground is,
x = h - d
The potential energy of body at that position is,
U = mgx= mg(h-d)
= mgh - mgd
The graph between potential energy Vs. distance fallen by the body is a straight line as shown in figure below.
