GENERAL PHYSICS I

12
FIRST QUARTER

Module 6

Potential energy

Most Essential Learning Competencies:

Relate the gravitational potential energy of a system or object to the

configuration of the system STEM_GP12WE-Ig-48

Relate the elastic potential energy of a system or object to the

configuration of the system STEM_GP12WE-Ig- 49

Explain the properties and the effects of conservative forces

STEM_GP12WE-Ig-50

Use potential energy diagrams to infer force; stable, unstable, and

neutral equilibria; and turning points STEM_GP12WE-Ig-53
 To the learners
This module was designed to help you develop the skills needed to improve
your understanding in Physics as we explore more of its concepts. Although this
module can serve as your primary guide in learning the topic, you are highly
encouraged to explore other references to supplement your knowledge.

In this module, you will be provided with the walk through of the concepts,
practice worksheets and activities to help you master the needed competencies.

You can complete this module at your own pace. You can always go back to a
topic if needed. Do not hesitate to seek help if you encounter difficulties in finishing
this module. Do not give up. Together with your patience and determination, you will
succeed.

May you continue enjoy learning!

Expectations
After going through this module, you are expected to:

a. Describe gravitational potential energy and elastic potential energy

b. Relate potential energy of a system or an object to the configuration of a
system.
c. Analyze potential energy diagrams

Pre-test
Read each item carefully. Encircle the letter of the best answer.
1. What happens to the potential energy of a spring if it is stretched?
a. It increases c. It becomes zero
b. It decreases d. It remains the same
2. When can you say that the force acting on an object is conservative?
a. It is path independent c. It obeys second Law of motion
b. It is not a frictional force d. Its work is equal to the kinetic energy
3. A ball is thrown and falls a distance 3 meters away. When is the potential energy of
the Earth-ball system greatest?
a. Just after it was thrown
b. Just before it was thrown
c. Just after it lands on the ground
d. When it reaches its highest point in flight

FOR ITEMS 4 AND 5 REFER TO FIGURE 1

4. A particle is released from rest at the point 𝒙 = 𝒂

and moves along the x axis subject to the
𝑼(𝒙)
potential energy function 𝑼(𝒙)shown. What can be
said of the particle?
a. It moves to a point to the left of 𝒙 = 𝒆, stops,
and remains at rest 𝒙
b. It moves to a point 𝒙 = 𝒆 then moves to the left A B C D E
c. It moves to infinity at varying speed By: A. Manzano,

d. It moves to 𝒙 = 𝒃, where it remains at rest Figure

own work 1
5. Which point/s is/are the turning point/s?
a. A only b. C only c. A and E d. B and D
 Looking back
In our previous module you learned about Work. You learned that it is a
scalar quantity and is a dot product of the force and displacement vector. You also
learned that work done can be positive, negative or zero depending on the direction
between the force applied on the object and its displacement.

Let us see how much you can recall and apply the concept.

Consider this scenario:

A student lifted a barbell vertically 1 meter from the ground (Figure 2)

By [Link], CC BY-SA 4.0,
[Link]
Figure 2
What is the direction of the force
applied by the student in lifting the
barbell?
What is the direction of the
displacement of the barbell?
Is the work done by the person in lifting
the barbell positive, negative or zero?
Why do you think so?

A student throws a ball vertically upward (Figure 3)

Bitmoji: Snap Inc.

Figure 3

As the ball moves up…

Is the work done by the gravitational
force positive, negative or zero?
Will the kinetic energy increase or
decrease? Why do you think so?
As the ball moves down, back to the ground…
Is the work done by the gravitational
force positive, negative or zero?
Will the kinetic energy increase or
decrease? Why do you think so?
 Brief Introduction
In your previous lessons, you learned that work is done when a force is
applied to displace an object. In doing so, the kinetic energy of the object increases.
According to the work-energy theorem, a work done can result to the change in the
object’s kinetic energy. Thus, the object’s gains or losses of kinetic energy is
because of the interaction with other object that exerts force on it.

In this module we will consider how the change in the configuration of a

system increases or decreases an object’s kinetic energy.

Suppose you lift a heavy object above your head. As you move the object
from the ground to a certain height above your head, energy is stored. There is now
a potential or possibility for the gravitational force to perform work on it. There is
also a possibility that the object can perform work on another object along its path.
This stored energy is called gravitational potential energy. This becomes evident
when it changes. When you release the object and let it fall to the ground, the
object’s kinetic energy increases and potential energy decreases.

Potential energy is associated with the configuration or arrangement

of a system of objects that exerts force on one another.

Potential energy can also be stored through the compression or extension of

an elastic object. Consider for example a rubber band. When you stretch the
rubber band, work is done because of the force you applied, and that is stored until
you let go of it. When the rubber band is released, its kinetic energy increases as it
moves as a projectile. This energy stored in elastic objects or deformable body is
called elastic potential energy.

The potential energy of a systems can be expressed mathematically and can

be derived from the concept of work. The change in potential energy is equal to the
negative of the work done by a force.
Where:
𝑼(𝒚) = 𝒎𝒈𝒚 Gravitational Potential Energy 𝒎 = 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑜𝑏𝑗𝑒𝑐𝑡
𝒈 = 𝑎𝑐𝑐𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑑𝑢𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑦
𝒚 = 𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡
𝟏
𝑼(𝒙) = 𝟐 𝒌𝒙𝟐 Elastic Potential Energy 𝒌 = 𝑠𝑝𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡
𝒙 = 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡

The gravitational force and the spring force are both conservative forces. The
work done by a conservative force depends only on the initial position and final
position of the object. It is not dependent on the path taken by the object. It is
referred to as conservative because it conserves mechanical energy. Problems
involving motion can be simplified if only conservative force acts on an object.

The net work done by a conservative force on a particle moving around any closed path is zero.

To better understand potential energy, you can draw a graph of potential

energy versus position. This is called potential energy curves or potential energy
diagrams. You will learn to analyze it in the coming activities.
 Activity 1
In order to find the gravitational potential energy of the system we can use
the expression 𝑼(𝒚) = 𝒎𝒈𝒚. This equation can be used if the reference configuration
and point is 𝑼𝒊 = 𝟎 and 𝒚𝒊 = 𝟎.

If that is not the case, the equation 𝑼 − 𝑼𝒊 = 𝒎𝒈(𝒚 − 𝒚𝟏 ) can be used.

Let’s try that in our first activity.

A 7.0 kg monkey hangs 5 m above the ground (Refer to Figure 4). What do
you think is the gravitational potential energy of the monkey-earth system if the
reference point 𝒚 = 𝟎 is at points A, B, C, D?

Location Description Potential energy 𝑼

D
A At the ground

At a lower
branch 3.o m
B
above the
C ground
At the same
C location as the
monkey
B
1.0 m above
D
the monkey

A
By: A. Manzano, own work
Figure 4

Did you get the same gravitational potential energy for each location?

__________________________________________________________________________________

At what location did you get the highest value of gravitational potential energy? Why
do you think so?

__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

Does the change in potential energy depend on the choice of reference point for 𝑦 = 0?
Why? Why not?

__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________
 Activity 2
Let us now analyze a spring-block system. Consider a block of mass m
attached to a spring of spring constant k in a frictionless surface (Refer to Figure 5).
The block is stretched along the horizontal towards the positive x-direction and was
released afterwards. Describe the potential energy, kinetic energy, and the speed of
the block as it passes through each point as shown in the diagram.

𝒙=𝟎
Equilibrium Position

𝒙=𝑨

𝒙 = 𝑨ൗ𝟐

𝒙=𝟎
Equilibrium Position

𝒙 = − 𝑨ൗ𝟐

𝒙 = −𝑨
By: A. Manzano, own work
Figure 5
 Activity 3
Let us now analyze a Potential Energy Curve. It is a graph of potential energy
versus position. Remember potential energy is defined as the negative of the work
𝒅𝑼(𝒙)
done by the force. Thus, we can say that ∆𝑼𝑿 = −𝑾 = −𝑭(𝒙)∆𝒙 and 𝑭(𝒙) = − 𝒅𝒙 .
It tells us that Force is the negative of the slope of the function at some point.

Here are some points you must remember regarding Potential Energy Curve:
✓ If the slope is positive; Force is negative
✓ If the slope is negative; Force is positive
✓ Steeper slopes mean greater magnitude of force
✓ At equilibrium points, Force is zero
✓ There are three types of equilibrium: stable, unstable and neutral.
✓ The object is in Stable equilibrium if when moved it can return to its original
position.
✓ The object is in Unstable equilibrium if when moved a little, it moves away
from equilibrium.
✓ The object is in Neutral equilibrium if when moved, it will stay in equilibrium.
✓ A Turning point is a location where Kinetic Energy is zero and the Potential
energy is equal to the Total Mechanical Energy

Your task: Analyze the Potential Energy Curve and provide what is being asked.

A
Total Mechanical Energy
B
F
H
𝑼(𝒙) C

E G

𝒙
D
By: A. Manzano, own work
Figure 6

1. At each point indicate whether the Force F is positive, negative or zero

2. Identify any equilibrium points and state whether the equilibrium is stable,
unstable or neutral.

3. Identify point/s that is/are impossible to reach by the object in motion.

4. At which point/s is/are the potential energy maximum? Minimum?

5. Which point is the turning point?

 Remember
❖ A Force is conservative if the net work it does on moving an object
around any closed path is zero.
❖ Potential energy is associated with the configuration of a system in
which conservative force acts.
❖ The change in potential energy is equal to the negative of the work
done by a force.
❖ The potential energy associated with a system consisting of Earth and
an object is called Gravitational Potential Energy
❖ Gravitational potential energy can be expressed as 𝑼(𝒚) = 𝒎𝒈𝒚
❖ Elastic Potential Energy is associated with the state of compression or
extension of an elastic object
𝟏
❖ Elastic potential energy can be expressed as 𝑼(𝒙) = 𝟐 𝒌𝒙𝟐
❖ A Potential Energy Curve is a graph of potential energy versus
position.
❖ At equilibrium point in a potential energy diagram, force is zero.
❖ At the turning point in the Potential Energy Curve, the kinetic energy
is zero.

Check your Understanding

Let us to some problem solving to check your understanding.

A. A marble of mass
A
2.00 g is released
and rolled down a B
frictionless track as 3ℎ
ℎ
shown in Figure 7. ℎ = 1.00 𝑚
4
D 2
What is the
gravitational
potential energy,
kinetic energy, speed C
at points A, B, C, D. By: A. Manzano, own work
Figure 7

B. Suppose that the spring constant 𝑘 for the

spring shown in Figure 8 is 360 𝑁ൗ𝑚. How
much energy will be stored in the spring
when it has been compressed 10.0 cm from 𝒙=𝟎
the equilibrium position? Equilibrium Position
By: A. Manzano, own work
Figure 8
 Post-test
Read each item carefully. Encircle the letter of the best answer.

1. What happens to the potential energy of a spring if it is stretched?

a. It increases
b. It decreases
c. It becomes zero
d. It remains the same
2. When can you say that the force acting on an object is conservative?
a. It is path independent
b. It is not a frictional force
c. It obeys second Law of motion
d. Its work is equal to the kinetic energy
3. A ball is thrown and falls a distance 3 meters away. When is the potential
energy of the Earth-ball system greatest?
a. Just after it was thrown
b. Just before it was thrown
c. Just after it lands on the ground
d. When it reaches its highest point in flight

FOR ITEMS 4 AND 5 REFER TO FIGURE 8

4. A particle is released from rest at the point 𝒙 = 𝒂 and moves along the x axis
subject to the potential energy function 𝑼(𝒙)shown. What can be said of the
particle?
a. It moves to a point to the left of 𝒙 = 𝒆, stops, and remains at rest
b. It moves to a point 𝒙 = 𝒆 then moves to the left
c. It moves to infinity at varying speed
d. It moves to 𝒙 = 𝒃, where it remains at rest
5. Which point/s is/are the turning point/s?
a. A only
b. C only
c. A and E
d. B and D

𝑼(𝒙)

𝒙
A B C D E
By: A. Manzano, own work
Figure 8
 Reflection
Time to think about what you learned. Summarize your takeaway
concepts by writing down your lesson’s tweet with a hashtag. You can also
draw an image related to it.

My Lesson’s tweet: