Physics

Problem

Questions 17-18 refer to the following graph, which represents a hypothetical potential energy curve for a particle of mass

m

. ![](https://storage.googleapis.com/diraq-contents/question-bank/question-images/60e961c7ef1f/2025_11_20_4fb16085cfb86337503bg-04.jpg) 18. If the potential energy function is given by

\mathrm{U}(\mathrm{r})=\mathrm{br}^{-3 / 2}+\mathrm{c}

, where b and c are constants, which of the following is an expression for the force on the particle? (A)

\frac{3 b}{2} r^{-5 / 2}

(B)

\frac{3 b}{2} r^{-1 / 2}

(C)

\frac{3}{2} r^{-1 / 2}

(D)

2 \mathrm{br}^{-1 / 2}+\mathrm{cr}

(E)

\frac{2 b}{5} r^{-5 / 2}+c r

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