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why is a potential energy /time graph non linear? thanks

why is a potential energy /time graph non linear? thanks
Reply 1
Avatar for Nirgilis
Nirgilis
14
Moved to physics help :h:
Original post by emmalav
why is a potential energy /time graph non linear? thanks


The question is impossible to answer unless you tell us
-Potential energy of what?
-Doing what?

Posting the graph would also help.
Reply 3
Avatar for emmalav
emmalav
OP
4
Original post by Stonebridge
The question is impossible to answer unless you tell us
-Potential energy of what?
-Doing what?

Posting the graph would also help.


Sorry, If something was being dropped from a height and thus losing potential energy why is the graph not non-linear but a curve, thanks ! :smile:
Original post by emmalav
Sorry, If something was being dropped from a height and thus losing potential energy why is the graph not non-linear but a curve, thanks ! :smile:


Well, potential energy at a height h is mgh

So for the graph to be linear, h would have to vary linearly with time.

When an object falls freely, does it have a constant velocity?
If so, the graph would be a straight line. The PE will reduce uniformly with time as the height decreases uniformly.

Does it accelerate?
If so the graph will be a curve.

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