I understand the concept of potential energy and I am aware that this question may not seem too complex. I have an issue of approaching the question. I do not want any answers, I just need some help as I am completely clueless on how to go about solving it. I am slightly confused as to what it's actually asking. I have emailed my tutor a number of times and he hasn't replied.

OK It's good that you only want hints not answers since we don't provide full answers in this forum.

 

Surely you must have had some thoughts?

 

Here are some hints.

 

1)What is the relationship between work and energy?

[math]Work = \int {F(x)dx} [/math]

 

So can you see what to do to obtain the force from the energy and the function which describes x?

 

2) The total energy = E

 

What forms may the total take and how does that energy budget compare with the values of U on the graph.

 

Have you, for instance, enough energy if E = 5 to traverse the whole graph?

Again your graph shows potential energy as negative for certain values of x. Can PE ever be negative?

Edited January 2, 201411 yr by studiot

many thanks for this. Now kicking myself but the problem is now solved. thank you so much.

Sure, keep coming back for discussion about stuff.