Potential energy ( ) versus distance ( ) is given by the graph. Rank various regions as per the magnitudes of the force ( ) acting on a particle from high to low.
- A.
- B.
- C.
- D.
- The force acting on a particle equals the negative slope of its potential energy versus position graph.
- So the magnitude of the force in each region equals the absolute value of the slope between that region's endpoints.
- For region , from to :
- For region , from to :
- For region , from to :
- For region , from to :
- Arrange these magnitudes in descending order.
Hence, the ranking from high to low is , so the answer is option C.