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How can I prove that a state of equilibrium is unstable?
Does the induced charge on a conductor stay at the surface?Divergence of a field and its interpretationWhy isn't the electric field just a mathematical tool?Gauss Law for a Modified Coulomb's LawChecking for equilibrium in a square configuration of chargesWhy can't charge be in a stable equilibrium in electrostatic field?Charge distribution: electrostatic equilibrium in conducting sphereSituation of Stable, Neutral and Unstable EquilibriumExplanation of the negative integralUnstable equilibrium due to an arbitrary electrostatic configuration
$begingroup$
In the particular problem I encountered, an electric field was zero at the origin and we were meant to prove that a particle at the origin was in an unstable state of equilibrium.
Is it enough to state that for any non-null coordinates, the electric field isn't zero, ergo the equilibrium is unstable? Or is there a more elegant way of proving it?
electrostatics electric-fields oscillators equilibrium stability
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
In the particular problem I encountered, an electric field was zero at the origin and we were meant to prove that a particle at the origin was in an unstable state of equilibrium.
Is it enough to state that for any non-null coordinates, the electric field isn't zero, ergo the equilibrium is unstable? Or is there a more elegant way of proving it?
electrostatics electric-fields oscillators equilibrium stability
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
I think the answers did a good job of covering this i the specific case, but I wanted to point out that the definition of "unstable" in mathematics is quite elegant: an unstable system is one where the inverse of the time evolution function is stable.
$endgroup$
– Cort Ammon
2 days ago
$begingroup$
@CortAmmon If a particle is at a saddle point of potential field, isn't that unstable?
$endgroup$
– Acccumulation
2 days ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
In the particular problem I encountered, an electric field was zero at the origin and we were meant to prove that a particle at the origin was in an unstable state of equilibrium.
Is it enough to state that for any non-null coordinates, the electric field isn't zero, ergo the equilibrium is unstable? Or is there a more elegant way of proving it?
electrostatics electric-fields oscillators equilibrium stability
$endgroup$
In the particular problem I encountered, an electric field was zero at the origin and we were meant to prove that a particle at the origin was in an unstable state of equilibrium.
Is it enough to state that for any non-null coordinates, the electric field isn't zero, ergo the equilibrium is unstable? Or is there a more elegant way of proving it?
electrostatics electric-fields oscillators equilibrium stability
electrostatics electric-fields oscillators equilibrium stability
edited 2 days ago
Qmechanic♦
107k121991237
107k121991237
asked Apr 1 at 16:51
RyeRye
859
859
$begingroup$
I think the answers did a good job of covering this i the specific case, but I wanted to point out that the definition of "unstable" in mathematics is quite elegant: an unstable system is one where the inverse of the time evolution function is stable.
$endgroup$
– Cort Ammon
2 days ago
$begingroup$
@CortAmmon If a particle is at a saddle point of potential field, isn't that unstable?
$endgroup$
– Acccumulation
2 days ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
I think the answers did a good job of covering this i the specific case, but I wanted to point out that the definition of "unstable" in mathematics is quite elegant: an unstable system is one where the inverse of the time evolution function is stable.
$endgroup$
– Cort Ammon
2 days ago
$begingroup$
@CortAmmon If a particle is at a saddle point of potential field, isn't that unstable?
$endgroup$
– Acccumulation
2 days ago
$begingroup$
I think the answers did a good job of covering this i the specific case, but I wanted to point out that the definition of "unstable" in mathematics is quite elegant: an unstable system is one where the inverse of the time evolution function is stable.
$endgroup$
– Cort Ammon
2 days ago
$begingroup$
I think the answers did a good job of covering this i the specific case, but I wanted to point out that the definition of "unstable" in mathematics is quite elegant: an unstable system is one where the inverse of the time evolution function is stable.
$endgroup$
– Cort Ammon
2 days ago
$begingroup$
@CortAmmon If a particle is at a saddle point of potential field, isn't that unstable?
$endgroup$
– Acccumulation
2 days ago
$begingroup$
@CortAmmon If a particle is at a saddle point of potential field, isn't that unstable?
$endgroup$
– Acccumulation
2 days ago
add a comment |
5 Answers
5
active
oldest
votes
$begingroup$
In the centre of a bowl there is equilibrium.
Put a ping pong ball in it. If this ball is ever shaken slightly away from equilibrium, it will immediately roll back. A "shake-proof" equilibrium is called stable.
Now, turn the bowl around and put the ball on the top. This is an equilibrium. But at the slightest shake, the ball rolls down. This "non-shake-proof" equilibrium is called unstable.
It is about the potential energy. Because, systems always tend towards lowest potential energy. The bottom of the bowl is of lowest potential energy, so the ball wants to move back when it is slightly displaced. The top of the flipped bowl is of highest potential energy, and any neighbour point is of lower energy. So the ball has no tendency to roll back up.
Mathematically, it is thus all about figuring out if the equilibrium is a minimum or a maximum. Only a minimum is stable.
You might for many practical/physical purposes be able to determine this by simply looking at the graph of the potential energy.
But mathematically, this can be solved directly from the potential energy expression $U$. Just look at the sign of the double derivative (derived to position).
- If it is positive, $U''_xx>0$, then the value at the equilibrium is about to increase - so it is a minimum.
- If it is negative, $U''_xx<0$, then the value at the equilibrium is about to decrease - so it is a maximum.
If you have a 2D function, then you have more than one double derivative, $U''_xx$, $U''_xy$, $U''_yx$ and $U''_yy$. In this case, you must collect them into a so-called Hessian matrix and look at the eigenvalues of that matrix. If both positive, then the point is a minimum; if both negative, then the point is a maximum. (And if a mix, then the point is neither a minimum nor a maximum, but a saddle point).
This may be a bit more than you expected - but it is the rather elegant, mathematical method.
$endgroup$
1
$begingroup$
Yep, exactly :) Also, I thought you wanted negative eigenvalues for minima
$endgroup$
– Aaron Stevens
Apr 1 at 17:46
1
$begingroup$
@AaronStevens If you are evaluating energy you want the function concave up (so positive 2nd derivative). If you are evaluating feedback you want it to be negative.
$endgroup$
– dmckee♦
Apr 1 at 19:16
6
$begingroup$
Also a saddle point is generally classified as "unstable" unless you are asked explicitly about the response in a particular direction.
$endgroup$
– dmckee♦
Apr 1 at 19:17
$begingroup$
@dmckee Ah yes. I was getting mixed up with the Jacobian in linear stability analysis
$endgroup$
– Aaron Stevens
Apr 1 at 19:51
1
$begingroup$
Uau, that's actually very helpful, thank you!
$endgroup$
– Rye
2 days ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Is it enough to state that for any none-null coordinates,
the electric field isn't zero, ergo the equilibrium is unstable?
No, that is not enough.
You are right with: At the point of equilibrium the electric force needs to be null.
But furthermore: The direction of the electric force in the surroundings of the equilibrium position is important.
- If the electric force points towards the equilibrium position,
then the equilibrium is stable. - If the electric force points away from the equilibrium position,
then the equilibrium is instable.
Or is there a more elegant way of proving it?
It is usually easier to analyze equilibrium with potential energy,
instead of with forces.
- If the potential energy is a minimum,
then the equilibrium is stable. - If the potential energy is a maximum,
then the equilibrium is instable.
$endgroup$
1
$begingroup$
+1, but I believe your first bullet list is too general. What if there is a mix? Or in your second list you can have unstable equilibria when the potential is not a local maximum.
$endgroup$
– Aaron Stevens
Apr 1 at 17:22
add a comment |
$begingroup$
If there is no charge at the origin (that is producing the electric field), then by Gauss's law (in derivative form), the divergence of the electric field there is 0: $fracpartial ^2 Vpartial x^2 + fracpartial ^2 Vpartial y^2 + fracpartial ^2 Vpartial z^2= 0$. Unless all three of these quantities are zero, then one of them must be negative, which means that in that direction, the equilibrium is unstable.
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Long story short, you're looking for a minimum in the potential energy. In most cases the tests described in the other answers will work well. The second derivative test discussed in previous answers can be inconclusive, though. In one dimension, when $U''=0$ you don't know if you have a minimum, maximum, or neither. To understand how to handle these more difficult situations, it's best to think of the potential energy as a Taylor series around the point of interest:
$$U(x) = U(a) + U'(a) (x-a) + fracU''(a)2(x-a)^2 + fracU'''(a)3!(x-a)^3 + ldots$$
Your first requirement to be an equilibrium, is $U'(a)=0$. Your requirement for stability is then $U''(a) > 0$, unstable if $U''(a)<0$, inconclusive if $U''(a) = 0$.
If your test is inconclusive, and that is unacceptable, then you move to the next higher derivative, $U'''(a)$. The condition there is if $U'''(a) neq0$ then your potential looks cubic there, so the equilibrium is meta-stable (saddle point - stable one direction, not the other). If $U'''(a) = 0$ you can look to the next higher derivative.
If $U^mathrmIV(a) > 0$, and all previous derivatives vanish, then your equilibrium is stable. $U^mathrmIV(a) < 0$ is unstable, and $U^mathrmIV(a) = 0$ is inconclusive (see next higher derivative).
Do you see the pattern? The character of an equilibrium point is fixed by the first non-vanishing derivative higher than first. If that derivative is even, then you use the positive/negative distinction for stable/unstable. If that derivative is odd, then you have a meta-stable point.
All of this gets tremendously complicated by linear algebra when you go multi-dimensional - you would need to deal with the equivalent of eigenvalues for tensors with ranks higher than 2 (I confess, I've never worked out the details).
The algorithm outlined above does have its limitations, though. Consider the function $e^-x^-2$ near the point $x=0$ (if we plug the hole there). Is that a stable equilibrium? If you graph the function, it certainly looks like it. If you start doing derivative tests, though, you'll run into the problem that all of the functions derivatives vanish there! Handling cases like this would require getting in to a more technical definition of how to characterize the local behavior of a function (involving sets, epsilons, and "there exists" type statements).
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
While checking for any point that its for unstable or stable equilibrium, graphical method can be used. If slope at that point is negative i.e. with increase in one coordinate other decreases and graph goes back to same point again,then its stable and for unstable its vice-versa.
New contributor
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add a comment |
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5 Answers
5
active
oldest
votes
5 Answers
5
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
$begingroup$
In the centre of a bowl there is equilibrium.
Put a ping pong ball in it. If this ball is ever shaken slightly away from equilibrium, it will immediately roll back. A "shake-proof" equilibrium is called stable.
Now, turn the bowl around and put the ball on the top. This is an equilibrium. But at the slightest shake, the ball rolls down. This "non-shake-proof" equilibrium is called unstable.
It is about the potential energy. Because, systems always tend towards lowest potential energy. The bottom of the bowl is of lowest potential energy, so the ball wants to move back when it is slightly displaced. The top of the flipped bowl is of highest potential energy, and any neighbour point is of lower energy. So the ball has no tendency to roll back up.
Mathematically, it is thus all about figuring out if the equilibrium is a minimum or a maximum. Only a minimum is stable.
You might for many practical/physical purposes be able to determine this by simply looking at the graph of the potential energy.
But mathematically, this can be solved directly from the potential energy expression $U$. Just look at the sign of the double derivative (derived to position).
- If it is positive, $U''_xx>0$, then the value at the equilibrium is about to increase - so it is a minimum.
- If it is negative, $U''_xx<0$, then the value at the equilibrium is about to decrease - so it is a maximum.
If you have a 2D function, then you have more than one double derivative, $U''_xx$, $U''_xy$, $U''_yx$ and $U''_yy$. In this case, you must collect them into a so-called Hessian matrix and look at the eigenvalues of that matrix. If both positive, then the point is a minimum; if both negative, then the point is a maximum. (And if a mix, then the point is neither a minimum nor a maximum, but a saddle point).
This may be a bit more than you expected - but it is the rather elegant, mathematical method.
$endgroup$
1
$begingroup$
Yep, exactly :) Also, I thought you wanted negative eigenvalues for minima
$endgroup$
– Aaron Stevens
Apr 1 at 17:46
1
$begingroup$
@AaronStevens If you are evaluating energy you want the function concave up (so positive 2nd derivative). If you are evaluating feedback you want it to be negative.
$endgroup$
– dmckee♦
Apr 1 at 19:16
6
$begingroup$
Also a saddle point is generally classified as "unstable" unless you are asked explicitly about the response in a particular direction.
$endgroup$
– dmckee♦
Apr 1 at 19:17
$begingroup$
@dmckee Ah yes. I was getting mixed up with the Jacobian in linear stability analysis
$endgroup$
– Aaron Stevens
Apr 1 at 19:51
1
$begingroup$
Uau, that's actually very helpful, thank you!
$endgroup$
– Rye
2 days ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
In the centre of a bowl there is equilibrium.
Put a ping pong ball in it. If this ball is ever shaken slightly away from equilibrium, it will immediately roll back. A "shake-proof" equilibrium is called stable.
Now, turn the bowl around and put the ball on the top. This is an equilibrium. But at the slightest shake, the ball rolls down. This "non-shake-proof" equilibrium is called unstable.
It is about the potential energy. Because, systems always tend towards lowest potential energy. The bottom of the bowl is of lowest potential energy, so the ball wants to move back when it is slightly displaced. The top of the flipped bowl is of highest potential energy, and any neighbour point is of lower energy. So the ball has no tendency to roll back up.
Mathematically, it is thus all about figuring out if the equilibrium is a minimum or a maximum. Only a minimum is stable.
You might for many practical/physical purposes be able to determine this by simply looking at the graph of the potential energy.
But mathematically, this can be solved directly from the potential energy expression $U$. Just look at the sign of the double derivative (derived to position).
- If it is positive, $U''_xx>0$, then the value at the equilibrium is about to increase - so it is a minimum.
- If it is negative, $U''_xx<0$, then the value at the equilibrium is about to decrease - so it is a maximum.
If you have a 2D function, then you have more than one double derivative, $U''_xx$, $U''_xy$, $U''_yx$ and $U''_yy$. In this case, you must collect them into a so-called Hessian matrix and look at the eigenvalues of that matrix. If both positive, then the point is a minimum; if both negative, then the point is a maximum. (And if a mix, then the point is neither a minimum nor a maximum, but a saddle point).
This may be a bit more than you expected - but it is the rather elegant, mathematical method.
$endgroup$
1
$begingroup$
Yep, exactly :) Also, I thought you wanted negative eigenvalues for minima
$endgroup$
– Aaron Stevens
Apr 1 at 17:46
1
$begingroup$
@AaronStevens If you are evaluating energy you want the function concave up (so positive 2nd derivative). If you are evaluating feedback you want it to be negative.
$endgroup$
– dmckee♦
Apr 1 at 19:16
6
$begingroup$
Also a saddle point is generally classified as "unstable" unless you are asked explicitly about the response in a particular direction.
$endgroup$
– dmckee♦
Apr 1 at 19:17
$begingroup$
@dmckee Ah yes. I was getting mixed up with the Jacobian in linear stability analysis
$endgroup$
– Aaron Stevens
Apr 1 at 19:51
1
$begingroup$
Uau, that's actually very helpful, thank you!
$endgroup$
– Rye
2 days ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
In the centre of a bowl there is equilibrium.
Put a ping pong ball in it. If this ball is ever shaken slightly away from equilibrium, it will immediately roll back. A "shake-proof" equilibrium is called stable.
Now, turn the bowl around and put the ball on the top. This is an equilibrium. But at the slightest shake, the ball rolls down. This "non-shake-proof" equilibrium is called unstable.
It is about the potential energy. Because, systems always tend towards lowest potential energy. The bottom of the bowl is of lowest potential energy, so the ball wants to move back when it is slightly displaced. The top of the flipped bowl is of highest potential energy, and any neighbour point is of lower energy. So the ball has no tendency to roll back up.
Mathematically, it is thus all about figuring out if the equilibrium is a minimum or a maximum. Only a minimum is stable.
You might for many practical/physical purposes be able to determine this by simply looking at the graph of the potential energy.
But mathematically, this can be solved directly from the potential energy expression $U$. Just look at the sign of the double derivative (derived to position).
- If it is positive, $U''_xx>0$, then the value at the equilibrium is about to increase - so it is a minimum.
- If it is negative, $U''_xx<0$, then the value at the equilibrium is about to decrease - so it is a maximum.
If you have a 2D function, then you have more than one double derivative, $U''_xx$, $U''_xy$, $U''_yx$ and $U''_yy$. In this case, you must collect them into a so-called Hessian matrix and look at the eigenvalues of that matrix. If both positive, then the point is a minimum; if both negative, then the point is a maximum. (And if a mix, then the point is neither a minimum nor a maximum, but a saddle point).
This may be a bit more than you expected - but it is the rather elegant, mathematical method.
$endgroup$
In the centre of a bowl there is equilibrium.
Put a ping pong ball in it. If this ball is ever shaken slightly away from equilibrium, it will immediately roll back. A "shake-proof" equilibrium is called stable.
Now, turn the bowl around and put the ball on the top. This is an equilibrium. But at the slightest shake, the ball rolls down. This "non-shake-proof" equilibrium is called unstable.
It is about the potential energy. Because, systems always tend towards lowest potential energy. The bottom of the bowl is of lowest potential energy, so the ball wants to move back when it is slightly displaced. The top of the flipped bowl is of highest potential energy, and any neighbour point is of lower energy. So the ball has no tendency to roll back up.
Mathematically, it is thus all about figuring out if the equilibrium is a minimum or a maximum. Only a minimum is stable.
You might for many practical/physical purposes be able to determine this by simply looking at the graph of the potential energy.
But mathematically, this can be solved directly from the potential energy expression $U$. Just look at the sign of the double derivative (derived to position).
- If it is positive, $U''_xx>0$, then the value at the equilibrium is about to increase - so it is a minimum.
- If it is negative, $U''_xx<0$, then the value at the equilibrium is about to decrease - so it is a maximum.
If you have a 2D function, then you have more than one double derivative, $U''_xx$, $U''_xy$, $U''_yx$ and $U''_yy$. In this case, you must collect them into a so-called Hessian matrix and look at the eigenvalues of that matrix. If both positive, then the point is a minimum; if both negative, then the point is a maximum. (And if a mix, then the point is neither a minimum nor a maximum, but a saddle point).
This may be a bit more than you expected - but it is the rather elegant, mathematical method.
edited Apr 1 at 17:25
answered Apr 1 at 17:24
SteevenSteeven
27.7k766113
27.7k766113
1
$begingroup$
Yep, exactly :) Also, I thought you wanted negative eigenvalues for minima
$endgroup$
– Aaron Stevens
Apr 1 at 17:46
1
$begingroup$
@AaronStevens If you are evaluating energy you want the function concave up (so positive 2nd derivative). If you are evaluating feedback you want it to be negative.
$endgroup$
– dmckee♦
Apr 1 at 19:16
6
$begingroup$
Also a saddle point is generally classified as "unstable" unless you are asked explicitly about the response in a particular direction.
$endgroup$
– dmckee♦
Apr 1 at 19:17
$begingroup$
@dmckee Ah yes. I was getting mixed up with the Jacobian in linear stability analysis
$endgroup$
– Aaron Stevens
Apr 1 at 19:51
1
$begingroup$
Uau, that's actually very helpful, thank you!
$endgroup$
– Rye
2 days ago
add a comment |
1
$begingroup$
Yep, exactly :) Also, I thought you wanted negative eigenvalues for minima
$endgroup$
– Aaron Stevens
Apr 1 at 17:46
1
$begingroup$
@AaronStevens If you are evaluating energy you want the function concave up (so positive 2nd derivative). If you are evaluating feedback you want it to be negative.
$endgroup$
– dmckee♦
Apr 1 at 19:16
6
$begingroup$
Also a saddle point is generally classified as "unstable" unless you are asked explicitly about the response in a particular direction.
$endgroup$
– dmckee♦
Apr 1 at 19:17
$begingroup$
@dmckee Ah yes. I was getting mixed up with the Jacobian in linear stability analysis
$endgroup$
– Aaron Stevens
Apr 1 at 19:51
1
$begingroup$
Uau, that's actually very helpful, thank you!
$endgroup$
– Rye
2 days ago
1
1
$begingroup$
Yep, exactly :) Also, I thought you wanted negative eigenvalues for minima
$endgroup$
– Aaron Stevens
Apr 1 at 17:46
$begingroup$
Yep, exactly :) Also, I thought you wanted negative eigenvalues for minima
$endgroup$
– Aaron Stevens
Apr 1 at 17:46
1
1
$begingroup$
@AaronStevens If you are evaluating energy you want the function concave up (so positive 2nd derivative). If you are evaluating feedback you want it to be negative.
$endgroup$
– dmckee♦
Apr 1 at 19:16
$begingroup$
@AaronStevens If you are evaluating energy you want the function concave up (so positive 2nd derivative). If you are evaluating feedback you want it to be negative.
$endgroup$
– dmckee♦
Apr 1 at 19:16
6
6
$begingroup$
Also a saddle point is generally classified as "unstable" unless you are asked explicitly about the response in a particular direction.
$endgroup$
– dmckee♦
Apr 1 at 19:17
$begingroup$
Also a saddle point is generally classified as "unstable" unless you are asked explicitly about the response in a particular direction.
$endgroup$
– dmckee♦
Apr 1 at 19:17
$begingroup$
@dmckee Ah yes. I was getting mixed up with the Jacobian in linear stability analysis
$endgroup$
– Aaron Stevens
Apr 1 at 19:51
$begingroup$
@dmckee Ah yes. I was getting mixed up with the Jacobian in linear stability analysis
$endgroup$
– Aaron Stevens
Apr 1 at 19:51
1
1
$begingroup$
Uau, that's actually very helpful, thank you!
$endgroup$
– Rye
2 days ago
$begingroup$
Uau, that's actually very helpful, thank you!
$endgroup$
– Rye
2 days ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Is it enough to state that for any none-null coordinates,
the electric field isn't zero, ergo the equilibrium is unstable?
No, that is not enough.
You are right with: At the point of equilibrium the electric force needs to be null.
But furthermore: The direction of the electric force in the surroundings of the equilibrium position is important.
- If the electric force points towards the equilibrium position,
then the equilibrium is stable. - If the electric force points away from the equilibrium position,
then the equilibrium is instable.
Or is there a more elegant way of proving it?
It is usually easier to analyze equilibrium with potential energy,
instead of with forces.
- If the potential energy is a minimum,
then the equilibrium is stable. - If the potential energy is a maximum,
then the equilibrium is instable.
$endgroup$
1
$begingroup$
+1, but I believe your first bullet list is too general. What if there is a mix? Or in your second list you can have unstable equilibria when the potential is not a local maximum.
$endgroup$
– Aaron Stevens
Apr 1 at 17:22
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Is it enough to state that for any none-null coordinates,
the electric field isn't zero, ergo the equilibrium is unstable?
No, that is not enough.
You are right with: At the point of equilibrium the electric force needs to be null.
But furthermore: The direction of the electric force in the surroundings of the equilibrium position is important.
- If the electric force points towards the equilibrium position,
then the equilibrium is stable. - If the electric force points away from the equilibrium position,
then the equilibrium is instable.
Or is there a more elegant way of proving it?
It is usually easier to analyze equilibrium with potential energy,
instead of with forces.
- If the potential energy is a minimum,
then the equilibrium is stable. - If the potential energy is a maximum,
then the equilibrium is instable.
$endgroup$
1
$begingroup$
+1, but I believe your first bullet list is too general. What if there is a mix? Or in your second list you can have unstable equilibria when the potential is not a local maximum.
$endgroup$
– Aaron Stevens
Apr 1 at 17:22
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Is it enough to state that for any none-null coordinates,
the electric field isn't zero, ergo the equilibrium is unstable?
No, that is not enough.
You are right with: At the point of equilibrium the electric force needs to be null.
But furthermore: The direction of the electric force in the surroundings of the equilibrium position is important.
- If the electric force points towards the equilibrium position,
then the equilibrium is stable. - If the electric force points away from the equilibrium position,
then the equilibrium is instable.
Or is there a more elegant way of proving it?
It is usually easier to analyze equilibrium with potential energy,
instead of with forces.
- If the potential energy is a minimum,
then the equilibrium is stable. - If the potential energy is a maximum,
then the equilibrium is instable.
$endgroup$
Is it enough to state that for any none-null coordinates,
the electric field isn't zero, ergo the equilibrium is unstable?
No, that is not enough.
You are right with: At the point of equilibrium the electric force needs to be null.
But furthermore: The direction of the electric force in the surroundings of the equilibrium position is important.
- If the electric force points towards the equilibrium position,
then the equilibrium is stable. - If the electric force points away from the equilibrium position,
then the equilibrium is instable.
Or is there a more elegant way of proving it?
It is usually easier to analyze equilibrium with potential energy,
instead of with forces.
- If the potential energy is a minimum,
then the equilibrium is stable. - If the potential energy is a maximum,
then the equilibrium is instable.
answered Apr 1 at 17:16
Thomas FritschThomas Fritsch
1,548515
1,548515
1
$begingroup$
+1, but I believe your first bullet list is too general. What if there is a mix? Or in your second list you can have unstable equilibria when the potential is not a local maximum.
$endgroup$
– Aaron Stevens
Apr 1 at 17:22
add a comment |
1
$begingroup$
+1, but I believe your first bullet list is too general. What if there is a mix? Or in your second list you can have unstable equilibria when the potential is not a local maximum.
$endgroup$
– Aaron Stevens
Apr 1 at 17:22
1
1
$begingroup$
+1, but I believe your first bullet list is too general. What if there is a mix? Or in your second list you can have unstable equilibria when the potential is not a local maximum.
$endgroup$
– Aaron Stevens
Apr 1 at 17:22
$begingroup$
+1, but I believe your first bullet list is too general. What if there is a mix? Or in your second list you can have unstable equilibria when the potential is not a local maximum.
$endgroup$
– Aaron Stevens
Apr 1 at 17:22
add a comment |
$begingroup$
If there is no charge at the origin (that is producing the electric field), then by Gauss's law (in derivative form), the divergence of the electric field there is 0: $fracpartial ^2 Vpartial x^2 + fracpartial ^2 Vpartial y^2 + fracpartial ^2 Vpartial z^2= 0$. Unless all three of these quantities are zero, then one of them must be negative, which means that in that direction, the equilibrium is unstable.
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
If there is no charge at the origin (that is producing the electric field), then by Gauss's law (in derivative form), the divergence of the electric field there is 0: $fracpartial ^2 Vpartial x^2 + fracpartial ^2 Vpartial y^2 + fracpartial ^2 Vpartial z^2= 0$. Unless all three of these quantities are zero, then one of them must be negative, which means that in that direction, the equilibrium is unstable.
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
If there is no charge at the origin (that is producing the electric field), then by Gauss's law (in derivative form), the divergence of the electric field there is 0: $fracpartial ^2 Vpartial x^2 + fracpartial ^2 Vpartial y^2 + fracpartial ^2 Vpartial z^2= 0$. Unless all three of these quantities are zero, then one of them must be negative, which means that in that direction, the equilibrium is unstable.
$endgroup$
If there is no charge at the origin (that is producing the electric field), then by Gauss's law (in derivative form), the divergence of the electric field there is 0: $fracpartial ^2 Vpartial x^2 + fracpartial ^2 Vpartial y^2 + fracpartial ^2 Vpartial z^2= 0$. Unless all three of these quantities are zero, then one of them must be negative, which means that in that direction, the equilibrium is unstable.
answered Apr 1 at 20:55
Faraz MasroorFaraz Masroor
338116
338116
add a comment |
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Long story short, you're looking for a minimum in the potential energy. In most cases the tests described in the other answers will work well. The second derivative test discussed in previous answers can be inconclusive, though. In one dimension, when $U''=0$ you don't know if you have a minimum, maximum, or neither. To understand how to handle these more difficult situations, it's best to think of the potential energy as a Taylor series around the point of interest:
$$U(x) = U(a) + U'(a) (x-a) + fracU''(a)2(x-a)^2 + fracU'''(a)3!(x-a)^3 + ldots$$
Your first requirement to be an equilibrium, is $U'(a)=0$. Your requirement for stability is then $U''(a) > 0$, unstable if $U''(a)<0$, inconclusive if $U''(a) = 0$.
If your test is inconclusive, and that is unacceptable, then you move to the next higher derivative, $U'''(a)$. The condition there is if $U'''(a) neq0$ then your potential looks cubic there, so the equilibrium is meta-stable (saddle point - stable one direction, not the other). If $U'''(a) = 0$ you can look to the next higher derivative.
If $U^mathrmIV(a) > 0$, and all previous derivatives vanish, then your equilibrium is stable. $U^mathrmIV(a) < 0$ is unstable, and $U^mathrmIV(a) = 0$ is inconclusive (see next higher derivative).
Do you see the pattern? The character of an equilibrium point is fixed by the first non-vanishing derivative higher than first. If that derivative is even, then you use the positive/negative distinction for stable/unstable. If that derivative is odd, then you have a meta-stable point.
All of this gets tremendously complicated by linear algebra when you go multi-dimensional - you would need to deal with the equivalent of eigenvalues for tensors with ranks higher than 2 (I confess, I've never worked out the details).
The algorithm outlined above does have its limitations, though. Consider the function $e^-x^-2$ near the point $x=0$ (if we plug the hole there). Is that a stable equilibrium? If you graph the function, it certainly looks like it. If you start doing derivative tests, though, you'll run into the problem that all of the functions derivatives vanish there! Handling cases like this would require getting in to a more technical definition of how to characterize the local behavior of a function (involving sets, epsilons, and "there exists" type statements).
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Long story short, you're looking for a minimum in the potential energy. In most cases the tests described in the other answers will work well. The second derivative test discussed in previous answers can be inconclusive, though. In one dimension, when $U''=0$ you don't know if you have a minimum, maximum, or neither. To understand how to handle these more difficult situations, it's best to think of the potential energy as a Taylor series around the point of interest:
$$U(x) = U(a) + U'(a) (x-a) + fracU''(a)2(x-a)^2 + fracU'''(a)3!(x-a)^3 + ldots$$
Your first requirement to be an equilibrium, is $U'(a)=0$. Your requirement for stability is then $U''(a) > 0$, unstable if $U''(a)<0$, inconclusive if $U''(a) = 0$.
If your test is inconclusive, and that is unacceptable, then you move to the next higher derivative, $U'''(a)$. The condition there is if $U'''(a) neq0$ then your potential looks cubic there, so the equilibrium is meta-stable (saddle point - stable one direction, not the other). If $U'''(a) = 0$ you can look to the next higher derivative.
If $U^mathrmIV(a) > 0$, and all previous derivatives vanish, then your equilibrium is stable. $U^mathrmIV(a) < 0$ is unstable, and $U^mathrmIV(a) = 0$ is inconclusive (see next higher derivative).
Do you see the pattern? The character of an equilibrium point is fixed by the first non-vanishing derivative higher than first. If that derivative is even, then you use the positive/negative distinction for stable/unstable. If that derivative is odd, then you have a meta-stable point.
All of this gets tremendously complicated by linear algebra when you go multi-dimensional - you would need to deal with the equivalent of eigenvalues for tensors with ranks higher than 2 (I confess, I've never worked out the details).
The algorithm outlined above does have its limitations, though. Consider the function $e^-x^-2$ near the point $x=0$ (if we plug the hole there). Is that a stable equilibrium? If you graph the function, it certainly looks like it. If you start doing derivative tests, though, you'll run into the problem that all of the functions derivatives vanish there! Handling cases like this would require getting in to a more technical definition of how to characterize the local behavior of a function (involving sets, epsilons, and "there exists" type statements).
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Long story short, you're looking for a minimum in the potential energy. In most cases the tests described in the other answers will work well. The second derivative test discussed in previous answers can be inconclusive, though. In one dimension, when $U''=0$ you don't know if you have a minimum, maximum, or neither. To understand how to handle these more difficult situations, it's best to think of the potential energy as a Taylor series around the point of interest:
$$U(x) = U(a) + U'(a) (x-a) + fracU''(a)2(x-a)^2 + fracU'''(a)3!(x-a)^3 + ldots$$
Your first requirement to be an equilibrium, is $U'(a)=0$. Your requirement for stability is then $U''(a) > 0$, unstable if $U''(a)<0$, inconclusive if $U''(a) = 0$.
If your test is inconclusive, and that is unacceptable, then you move to the next higher derivative, $U'''(a)$. The condition there is if $U'''(a) neq0$ then your potential looks cubic there, so the equilibrium is meta-stable (saddle point - stable one direction, not the other). If $U'''(a) = 0$ you can look to the next higher derivative.
If $U^mathrmIV(a) > 0$, and all previous derivatives vanish, then your equilibrium is stable. $U^mathrmIV(a) < 0$ is unstable, and $U^mathrmIV(a) = 0$ is inconclusive (see next higher derivative).
Do you see the pattern? The character of an equilibrium point is fixed by the first non-vanishing derivative higher than first. If that derivative is even, then you use the positive/negative distinction for stable/unstable. If that derivative is odd, then you have a meta-stable point.
All of this gets tremendously complicated by linear algebra when you go multi-dimensional - you would need to deal with the equivalent of eigenvalues for tensors with ranks higher than 2 (I confess, I've never worked out the details).
The algorithm outlined above does have its limitations, though. Consider the function $e^-x^-2$ near the point $x=0$ (if we plug the hole there). Is that a stable equilibrium? If you graph the function, it certainly looks like it. If you start doing derivative tests, though, you'll run into the problem that all of the functions derivatives vanish there! Handling cases like this would require getting in to a more technical definition of how to characterize the local behavior of a function (involving sets, epsilons, and "there exists" type statements).
$endgroup$
Long story short, you're looking for a minimum in the potential energy. In most cases the tests described in the other answers will work well. The second derivative test discussed in previous answers can be inconclusive, though. In one dimension, when $U''=0$ you don't know if you have a minimum, maximum, or neither. To understand how to handle these more difficult situations, it's best to think of the potential energy as a Taylor series around the point of interest:
$$U(x) = U(a) + U'(a) (x-a) + fracU''(a)2(x-a)^2 + fracU'''(a)3!(x-a)^3 + ldots$$
Your first requirement to be an equilibrium, is $U'(a)=0$. Your requirement for stability is then $U''(a) > 0$, unstable if $U''(a)<0$, inconclusive if $U''(a) = 0$.
If your test is inconclusive, and that is unacceptable, then you move to the next higher derivative, $U'''(a)$. The condition there is if $U'''(a) neq0$ then your potential looks cubic there, so the equilibrium is meta-stable (saddle point - stable one direction, not the other). If $U'''(a) = 0$ you can look to the next higher derivative.
If $U^mathrmIV(a) > 0$, and all previous derivatives vanish, then your equilibrium is stable. $U^mathrmIV(a) < 0$ is unstable, and $U^mathrmIV(a) = 0$ is inconclusive (see next higher derivative).
Do you see the pattern? The character of an equilibrium point is fixed by the first non-vanishing derivative higher than first. If that derivative is even, then you use the positive/negative distinction for stable/unstable. If that derivative is odd, then you have a meta-stable point.
All of this gets tremendously complicated by linear algebra when you go multi-dimensional - you would need to deal with the equivalent of eigenvalues for tensors with ranks higher than 2 (I confess, I've never worked out the details).
The algorithm outlined above does have its limitations, though. Consider the function $e^-x^-2$ near the point $x=0$ (if we plug the hole there). Is that a stable equilibrium? If you graph the function, it certainly looks like it. If you start doing derivative tests, though, you'll run into the problem that all of the functions derivatives vanish there! Handling cases like this would require getting in to a more technical definition of how to characterize the local behavior of a function (involving sets, epsilons, and "there exists" type statements).
edited 2 days ago
answered 2 days ago
Sean E. LakeSean E. Lake
14.7k12351
14.7k12351
add a comment |
add a comment |
$begingroup$
While checking for any point that its for unstable or stable equilibrium, graphical method can be used. If slope at that point is negative i.e. with increase in one coordinate other decreases and graph goes back to same point again,then its stable and for unstable its vice-versa.
New contributor
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
While checking for any point that its for unstable or stable equilibrium, graphical method can be used. If slope at that point is negative i.e. with increase in one coordinate other decreases and graph goes back to same point again,then its stable and for unstable its vice-versa.
New contributor
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
While checking for any point that its for unstable or stable equilibrium, graphical method can be used. If slope at that point is negative i.e. with increase in one coordinate other decreases and graph goes back to same point again,then its stable and for unstable its vice-versa.
New contributor
$endgroup$
While checking for any point that its for unstable or stable equilibrium, graphical method can be used. If slope at that point is negative i.e. with increase in one coordinate other decreases and graph goes back to same point again,then its stable and for unstable its vice-versa.
New contributor
New contributor
answered Apr 1 at 17:18
sk9298sk9298
545
545
New contributor
New contributor
add a comment |
add a comment |
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I think the answers did a good job of covering this i the specific case, but I wanted to point out that the definition of "unstable" in mathematics is quite elegant: an unstable system is one where the inverse of the time evolution function is stable.
$endgroup$
– Cort Ammon
2 days ago
$begingroup$
@CortAmmon If a particle is at a saddle point of potential field, isn't that unstable?
$endgroup$
– Acccumulation
2 days ago