Download App

Gravitation — Physics STD 11 Science — Question

Maharashtra BoardEnglish MediumSTD 11 SciencePhysicsGravitation4 Marks
Question
Explain with examples the universal law which states that “Every system always configures itself in order to have minimum potential energy or every system tries to minimize its potential energy”.
✓

Answer

Example 1:
  1. A spring in its natural state, possesses minimum potential energy. Whenever we stretch it or compress it, we perform work against the conservative force.
  2. Due to this work, the relative distances between the particles of the system change i.e., configuration changes and potential energy of the spring increases.
  3. The spring finally regains its original configuration of minimum potential energy on removal of the applied force.
    This explains that the spring always try to rearrange itself in order to attain minimum potential energy.

Example 2:
  1. When an object is lying on the surface of the Earth, the system of that object and the Earth has minimum potential energy.
  2. This is the gravitational potential energy of the system as these two are bound by the gravitational force. While lifting the object to some height, we do work against the conservative gravitational force.
  3. In its new position, the object is at rest due to balanced forces. However, now, the object has a capacity to acquire kinetic energy, when allowed to fall.
  4. This increase in the capacity is the potential energy gained by the system. The object falls on the Earth to achieve the configuration of minimum potential energy on dropping it from the new position.

Need a full question paper?

Generate a complete, print-ready paper with questions like this in minutes — across 16+ boards, with answer keys.

Start Generating Free

Explore more

More "Answer the following in Detail" from Gravitation→Gravitation — all question types→Physics STD 11 Science question papers→Maharashtra Board STD 11 Science question papers→Maharashtra Board question paper generator→

Similar questions

What is a terrestrial telescope and an astronomical telescope?
→
Derive lens makers’ equation. Why is it called so? Under which conditions focal length $f$ and radii of curvature $R$ are numerically equal for a lens?
→
What are some features of $n-$type semiconductor?
→
Find unit vectors perpendicular to the plane of the vectors, $\overrightarrow{ A }=$ and $\overrightarrow{ B }=2 \hat{ i }-\hat{ k }$
→
How many cells each of $1.5 V / 500\ mA$ rating would be required in series-parallel combination to provide $1500\ mA$ at $3V ?$
→
Pluto has mean diameter of $2,300 \ km$ and very eccentric orbit $($oval shaped$)$ around the Sun, with a perihelion $($nearest$)$ distance of $4.4 \times 10^9 km$ and an aphelion $($farthest$)$ distance of $7.3 \times 10^9 km.$ What are the respective solid angles subtended by Pluto from Earth’s perspective? Assume that distance from the Sun can be neglected. 
→
Write a note on:
i. Electric devices
ii. Electronic devices
→
A hole of radius $r$ is cut from a uniform disc of radius $2r.$ Centre of the hole is at a distance $r$ from centre of the disc. Locate centre of mass of the remaining part of the disc.
→
Explain working of a circuit when connected to emf device.
→
Power is rate of doing work or the rate at which energy is supplied to the system. A constant force F is applied to a body
of mass m. Power delivered by the force at time t from the start is proportional to
(a) $t$
(b)$t^2$
(c) $\sqrt{t}$
(d) $t ^0$
Derive the expression for power in terms of $F, m$ and $t$.
[Ans: $p =\frac{F^2 t}{m}, \therefore p \propto t$ ]
→