Energy and forces

Key words
1 Gravitational forces
asymptote
gradient
10
gravitational
potential
tangent
8

1 Gravitational forces
F = ∆E 6

Energy
● The gravitational potential energy, E, ∆E ∆h

Force
of an object of weight F newtons

N
which is h meters above the ground is 4
given by E = F x h. Rearranging this
equation gives F = E
h 2
● The gradient of the graph at any point ∆h
is the gradient of the tangent at that
0
point. As the curve is uniform, a good Distance 0 1 2 3 4 5 6
approximation is obtained by taking r
values equidistant from the point and Earth radii
calculating the ratio of the change in
energy, ∆E, to the change in distance, The force of attraction on an object is calculated
∆h. from the gradient of the energy-distance curve The force-distance curve
● As an object moves further away from
Earth, the attraction it experiences as a
result of Earth’s gravitational field
2 Repulsive and attractive forces between atoms
decreases. The curve is asymptotic
and thus the force never actually
40 40
becomes zero, but it becomes so small Forces Associated energy
as to be insignificant.
30 30
2 Repulsive and attractive
forces between atoms 20 20
equilibrium
● As atoms move together, their outer separation
electron shells exert a repulsive force 10 r 10
r
Energy
10–19 J

on each other.
10–9 N

10–10
Force

10–1
● At smaller separation distances. 0 0
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
however, a force of attraction between
atoms increases. 10 10
● The attractive and repulsive forces can
be combined to give the net force for 20 20
any separation distance.
● While the attractive force becomes 30 30
zero for large separations, it decreases
less rapidly than does the repulsive 40 40
force, and there is a separation
distance at which the attractive force
repulsive force
operates after the repulsive force has
become zero. net force
© Diagram Visual Information Ltd.

● At the equilibrium separation distance

the repulsive force equals the attractive force
attractive force and the atoms are
stable.