Is reversible work path dependent?
A reversible process is a ideal process. Work done in path dependent. This can also be verified by the PV diagram. There are infinitely many paths that can be taken to move the system from state A to state B and each path will give a different value of work done.
Why is work done in a closed path zero?
So, the net work done in moving a charge in a closed path or closed loop in an electrostatic field is zero. In other words, the energy stored is exactly equal to the energy spent. By the end of the process, the charge has no extra energy stored.
Which one of the following is a conservative force?
Magnetic force is a conservative force. The motion of any two electrically charged particles imparts a magnetic force which is a relative phenomenon. The magnetic force is a velocity dependent vector and therefore, it is a conservative force. Electrostatic force is a conservative force.
Why is conservative force negative gradient of potential energy?
The force exerted by the force field always tends toward lower energy and will act to reduce the potential energy. The negative sign on the derivative shows that if the potential U increases with increasing r, the force will tend to move it toward smaller r to decrease the potential energy.
What is negative gradient of potential?
The negative gradient of the electric potential is the electric field. While the magnitude of the electric field is equal to the gradient of the electric potential, the electric field points in the opposite direction of the gradient of the electric potential, and thus →E=−→∇V.
Why force is gradient of potential?
Because the gradient of any field (like the gravitational potential field) points in the direction of largest increase in that field. The force will point in the direction of the largest decrease in potential (energy) — in the negative of the gradient of the potential field.
What is SI unit of potential gradient?
The potential gradient is the potential difference per unit length. The SI unit of the potential gradient can be determined by substituting the unit of potential difference or voltage and length. Therefore, the unit of potential difference is volt/metre.