Question

The potential energy of a system increases if work is done

• A. Upon the system by a non conservative force
• B. By the system against a conservative force
• C. By the system against a non conservative force
• D. Upon the system by a conservative force

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

The change in potential energy is defined as the negative of work done by the conservative force. Work done by the conservative force depends only on initial point and final point. It does not depend upon the path taken, for example, the gravitational force is a conservative force.
i.e., the work done against the conservative force will result in the increase in potential energy.
$-\Delta U=W_{\text{conservative}}$ .