POTENTIAL ENERGY

DIAGRAMS TO INFER FORCE;

STABLE, UNSTABLE, AND

NEUTRAL EQUILIBRIUM; AND

TURNING POINTS

John Carl Lasala

Joel Nhyle Ang
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POTENTIAL ENERGY DIAGRAM

A graph of potential energy of a mechanical system as a function of its position.

This is most easily accomplished for one-dimensional system, whose potential energy
can be plotted in one-dimensional graph-for example, 𝑈( 𝑥) versus 𝑥- on a piece of
paper or a computer program.
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EQUILIBRIUM
POINT

Position where the net assumed conservative,

net force on a particle, given by the slope of its
potential energy curve, is zero.

Zero force means that 0 = Fx = − du/dx

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TURNING POINTS

• A graph of potential energy of a

mechanical system as a function of its
position.
• This is most easily accomplished for one-
dimensional system, whose potential
energy can be plotted in one-dimensional
graph-for example, U(x) versus x- on a
piece of paper or a computer program.
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WHAT IS STABLE,
“ UNSTABLE
AND NEURAL

”
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STABLE EQUILIBRIUM

Any minimum position in a potential-energy curve.

Position is at potential minimum, and therefore a particle will feel a force

restoring it to this position as it moves away.
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UNSTABLE EQUILIBRIUM

Any maximum point in a potential-energy curve.

Position is at a potential maximum, and therefore a particle will feel a force that
pushes it away from this position in the direction it has moved away already.
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NEUTRAL
EQUILIBRIUM
When a particle is slightly displaced from a position then it does not experience
any force acting on it and continues to be in equilibrium in the displaced position,
it is said to be in neutral equilibrium.
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EXAMPLES
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