Changing Configuration of a System

Physics

example

Work done in changing configuration of a system of masses

Example: 3 identical bodies of mass are at the corners of an equilateral triangle of side . What is the amount of work done in moving them such that the side of the equilateral triangle becomes doubled?

Solution:
Initial potential energy,
Final potential energy,
 Work done, 

example

Work done in changing configuration of a system of continuous masses

Example: Four masses (each of ) are placed at the vertices of a regular pyramid (triangular base) of side . Find the work done by the system while
taking them apart so that they form the pyramid of side .

Solution: The initial gravitational potential is given as

Final gravitational potential is

Change in potential is

or

Thus the external work done would be

REVISE WITH CONCEPTS

Gravitational Potential

ExampleDefinitionsFormulaes
>

Gravitational Potential Energy

ExampleDefinitionsFormulaes
>

Gravitational Potential Energy- Medium

ExampleDefinitionsFormulaes
>

Potential Energy Between Two Point Masses and System of Point Masses

ExampleDefinitionsFormulaes
>

Gravitational Potential Energy - L2

ExampleDefinitionsFormulaes
>

View more

Quick Summary With Stories

Important Questions
View solution
>
View solution
>
View solution
>
View solution
>
View solution
>
View solution
>
View solution
>
View solution
>
View solution
>
View solution
>