Final answer:
The corresponding conservative force for a potential energy function U(x) = x² + x + 3 is found by taking the negative derivative of the potential energy with respect to x, resulting in -2x - 1, which corresponds to answer choice (d).
Step-by-step explanation:
The question is related to the relationship between conservative force and potential energy in physics. Given the potential energy function U(x) = x² + x + 3, we want to find the corresponding conservative force.
In physics, the formula for the force corresponding to the potential energy in a one-dimensional motion along the x-axis is given by F = -dU/dx, where U is the potential energy as a function of position and dU/dx is its derivative with respect to x.
Thus, the corresponding force F is:
- Take the derivative of U with respect to x: dU/dx = 2x + 1.
- Apply the negative sign as per the definition of conservative force: F = -(2x + 1).
Therefore, the answer is (d) −2x − 1.