Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
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Graphs of a system’s potential energy as a function of position can be useful in determining properties of that system. Stable equilibrium is a location at which a small displacement results in a force opposite the direction of the displacement, accelerating the object back toward the equilibrium position. Stable equilibrium positions exist where the potential energy as a function of position has a local minimum. Unstable equilibrium is a location at which a small displacement results in a force in the same direction as the displacement, accelerating the object away from the equilibrium position. Unstable equilibrium positions exist where the potential energy as a function of position has a local maximum.
Sections:
00:00 - Force and potential energy
01:45 - Graphs of potential energy vs. position
02:44 - Determining force magnitude
06:04 - Determining force direction
08:04 - Stable and unstable equilibrium points
11:35 - Intuition behind potential energy graphs
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Volunteer here: khanacademy.org/contribute?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=desc
Courses on Khan Academy are always 100% free. Start practicing—and saving your progress—now. khanacademy.org/science/ap-physics-c-mechanics
Graphs of a system’s potential energy as a function of position can be useful in determining properties of that system. Stable equilibrium is a location at which a small displacement results in a force opposite the direction of the displacement, accelerating the object back toward the equilibrium position. Stable equilibrium positions exist where the potential energy as a function of position has a local minimum. Unstable equilibrium is a location at which a small displacement results in a force in the same direction as the displacement, accelerating the object away from the equilibrium position. Unstable equilibrium positions exist where the potential energy as a function of position has a local maximum.
Sections:
00:00 - Force and potential energy
01:45 - Graphs of potential energy vs. position
02:44 - Determining force magnitude
06:04 - Determining force direction
08:04 - Stable and unstable equilibrium points
11:35 - Intuition behind potential energy graphs
------------------
Khan Academy is a nonprofit organization with the mission of providing a free, world-class education for anyone, anywhere. Khan Academy has been translated into dozens of languages, and 15 million people around the globe learn on Khan Academy every month. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, we would love your help!
Donate here: khanacademy.org/donate?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=desc
Volunteer here: khanacademy.org/contribute?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=desc
