Practicing Success
The potential energy of a particle is determined by the expression \(U = \alpha (x^2 + y^2)\), where \(\alpha\) is a positive constant. The particle begins to move from a point with coordinates (3, 3), only under the action of potential field force. Then its kinetic energy T at the instant when the particle is at a point with coordinates (1, 1) is : |
\(zero\) \(12 \alpha\) \(8 \alpha\) \(16 \alpha\) |
\(16 \alpha\) |
As the particle moves only under the action of conservative force, its mechanical energy must be conserved. So : \(\Delta K + \Delta U = 0\) \(\Rightarrow \Delta T = - \Delta U = -(U_i - U_f)\) \(\Rightarrow \Delta T = -[\alpha(1^2+1^2)-\alpha(3^2+3^2)]\) \(= 16 \alpha\) |