Final answer:
The potential function V(x) when V(x) is chosen to be zero at x=0 is V(x) = xb. The potential energy, in this case, is determined by integrating the force function, which is the negative derivative of the potential function. When integrated, the force function becomes the potential function.
Step-by-step explanation:
The potential function V(x) when V(x) is chosen to be zero at x=0 is V(x) = xb.
The potential energy, in this case, is determined by integrating the force function, which is the negative derivative of the potential function. When integrated, the force function becomes the potential function.
For example, if the force function is F(x) = kx, where k is a constant, then integrating it would give us the potential function V(x) = 1/2kx^2.