Potential Energy & Equilibrium: Practice Problem & Solution

Short Solution (Best for NEET):

To solve this problem, we apply the core principles of Potential Energy & Equilibrium. Understanding the underlying formula is key to arriving at the correct answer below:

Given  U = 20 + (x – 2)²

For Equilibrium , dU/dx = 2 (x-2) =0, So, x=2 is the point of Equilibrium.

d²U/dx²= 2 >0 so, x= 2 is the point of stable equilibrium.

U _min = 20 J

As Total Energy is 36 J.

U _min  + K _max  = 36 J

⇒ K _max  = 16 J