Conservative force Definition and 84 Threads

  1. S

    Is static frinction a conservative force?

    Homework Statement Suppose we have a two blocks of masses m1 and m2, one on the top of another. The lower block is attached to a spring which is attached to the wall. These two blocks are on a zero-friction floor. We give the lower block a velocity so that the upper block is not sliding on the...
  2. R

    Example of conservative and non conservative force

    Hello frnds, i understand what conservative and non conservative force are but i didn't get it properly with practical example. so any article is there which explain it properly with practical example and in easy way, i searched but didn't get any article that satisfy me.
  3. U

    How to Determine the Potential of a Conservative, Central-Symmetric Force?

    Homework Statement Find the potential of the following conservative and central-symmetric force \vec{F(\vec{r})}=\vec{r}f(\vec{r}) Homework Equations \vec{F}=-\nabla U The Attempt at a Solution I can integrate by components? F_{x}=-\frac{\partial U}{\partial x} Getting: U_{x}=-\int...
  4. M

    Minimum Height for Loop in Frictionless Incline Track

    Homework Statement A mass is placed at the top of a frictionless incline track. The bottom of the track goes into a loop. At what minimum height does the block with mass m have to be released above the ground in order to reach point b (the top of the loop). Homework Equations...
  5. J

    Warmup problem for line integrals of conservative force

    Homework Statement A sleeve of mass m is constrained to move without friction along the x-axis. The sleeve is connected to the point (0, 2) on the y-axis by a spring as shown in the diagram below. Assume that Hooke’s “Law” is a good approximation for the restoring force exerted by the...
  6. P

    Work done by non conservative force

    If the total work done is calculated using the area of the closed curve (Force vs Displacement), then the formulation doesn’t care if the force is conservative or not. Is that right? For instance, if I understand it right, spring force is a conservative force and hence work done by the spring...
  7. K

    How to Approach Conservative Force Problems on the XY-Plane?

    Homework Statement [PLAIN]http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/9080/omgay.jpg Homework Equations ? The Attempt at a Solution ?? I'm already lost at where to begin.
  8. E

    Friction - why not conservative force?

    We know that friction caused by electromagnetic forces. But then, why friction isn't a conservative force?
  9. J

    Conservative force fields and line integrals

    Conservative vector fields and line integrals Homework Statement A particle is subject to a force F defined by F\left( x,y \right)=\left(\begin{array}{c} y^{2} \\ 2xy \end{array}\right). The particle moves in a straight line C from (-1,2) to (1,3).[a] Calculate the work done by the force F as...
  10. S

    Why does work done by a conservative force = 0 in a closed path?

    Why does work done by a conservative force = 0 in a closed path? I know this sounds foolish :rolleyes: but how can some forces have such a property? Can anybody give a satisfactory physical explanation?:confused:
  11. K

    Proving Conservative Force F(x,y): Steps & Examples

    Homework Statement show that the force F(x,y) = (x^{2}+3y+11)\widehat{x} + (3x +5y^{3}+11)\widehat{y} is conservativeHomework Equations it's conservative if \nabla X F = 0The Attempt at a Solution ok, I know how to take the gradient of a function like F(x,y) = x^2 + 3xy + 3 + y, but I'm not...
  12. K

    Potential Function from a simple conservative force

    Homework Statement Find the potential functions for these conservative forces: (1)F=xi+yj (2)F=yi+xj Homework Equations F=-\nablaV (Force = -del (Pot.energy)) The Attempt at a Solution So, I'm guessing to get V I just need to integrate F. For the first equation that gets me...
  13. W

    How is work calculated for a conservative force?

    Conservative force ? Hi all, Work or mechanical work in physics and kinesiology, is more narrowly defined as the product of force applied over a distance. If the distance traveled is zero, than any force times zero is zero (U = F x 0 = 0). So if I move a weight overhead 1m with the...
  14. N

    Conservative force, kinetic energy

    Homework Statement A single conservative force F(x) acts on a 2.4 kg particle that moves along an x axis. The potential energy U(x) associated with F(x) is given by U(x) = -4xe-x/4 where x is in meters. At x = 5.0 m the particle has a kinetic energy of 5.2 J. (a) What is the mechanical...
  15. S

    Question concerning curl for finding a conservative force field

    Hello all, I understand the fact that the principles LaTeX Code: F= \\nabla \\phi . LaTeX Code: \\nabla \\times F = 0 . must apply in order for a force field to be conservative however what i don't get is why showing: LaTeX Code: f_y= g_x, f_z= h_x, g_z= h_y where subscripts are what you...
  16. G

    Sidereal frame and conservative force.

    Briefly describe a sidereal frame of reference, and then state Newton's laws of motion I can't find sidereal in the index of my textbook, but my googling leads me to conclude that it's something to do with fixed stars. I'm not sure if a sidereal frame is also an inertial frame. Newtons laws...
  17. M

    Particle in a conservative force field + SHM

    Homework Statement I read online in several places that any particle in motion in a conservative force field undergoes simple harmonic motion for small amplitudes. I am attempting to prove this is true out of my own curiosity, but I don't know if I have the tools necessary to prove it. My math...
  18. E

    Nonconservative vs conservative force

    Homework Statement What is the difference between two of the forces above?? Can someone please give me an example so that it's easier for me to understand Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution
  19. S

    Is a Central Force Always Conservative?

    Homework Statement Show that a central force between two objects, ie. one that acts along the vector connecting their centres, r^{\Downarrow},with a strength that depends on only r, is a conservative force. I am supposed to do this in cartesian coordinates and show that the work is zero or...
  20. L

    Is the Force in r = a cos(wt) i + b sin(wt) j Conservative?

    Hello, I have a question about conservative forces. 'A particle is moving according to r = a cos(wt) i + b sin(wt) j, where a and b are constants, w is angular velocity, r is a vector and i,j are unit vectors that point the same direction as the x and y axes, respectively. I am asked to...
  21. A

    Checking if a Force is Conservative: A Tutorial

    Homework Statement I found this question (pic) how do I check if a force is conservative or not? 10x. Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution
  22. D

    Calculating Resistive Force and Power for a Bullet Fired into a Tree

    a bullet with a mass of .02kg and a velocity of 800m/s is fired horizontally into a tree. the tree exerts a resistive force and brings the bullet to rest after it penetrates .56m into the tree. given this information fins the constant resistive force exerted by the tree on the bullet and the...
  23. K

    Friction as a conservative force

    friction as a nonconservative force I was wondering, can the friction force be split up? Suppose you have a friction force working under an angle alpha, can you just say Fx = Ffric*cos(alfa), Fy = Ffric*sin(alfa) Suppose you're working in a flat horizontal plane, and you launch a ball in 45°...
  24. N

    Determine if Force is Conservative or Not

    Homework Statement For the following force, determine whether it is conservative or not. Homework Equations F=i(5abx^2+2ab^2y^5)+j(7abz^2+a^2b^3y)+k(18abz^3) i, j, k being unit vectors and a and b are constants The Attempt at a Solution I found the curl to be...
  25. J

    Conservative force vs nonConservative force

    In a given displacement of a particle, its kinetic energy increases by 25 J while its potential energy decreases by 10 J. Determine the work of the nonconservative forces acting on the particle during this displacement. a. –15 J b. +35 J c. +15 J d. –35 J e. +55 J workdone by...
  26. J

    Potential Energy of a Conservative Force

    Homework Statement A mass m hangs on a vertical spring of spring constant k. (a) How far will this hanging mass have stretched the spring from its relaxed length? (b) If you now push up on the mass and lift it until the spring reaches its relaxed length, how much work will you have done...
  27. T

    Non conservative force of a wave on a surfer

    Homework Statement A surfer is catching a wave. Suppose she starts at the top of the wave with a speed of 1.93 m/s and moves down the wave until her speed reaches 12.3 m/s. The drop in her vertical height is 2.95 m. If her mass is 72.3 kg, how much work is done by the (non-conservative)...
  28. K

    Finding a Conservative Force: Math Solutions

    how to find mathematically that a force is conservative?i know that a consrvative force is a force in which work done is independent of path followed such as gravitational force.
  29. C

    Show that any central force is a conservative force

    hello, i am having problems with this question "If a force on an object is always directed along a line from the object to a given point, and the magnitude of the force depends only on the distance of the object from the point, the force is said to be a central force. Show that any central...
  30. M

    "Proving Central Force is a Conservative Force

    Homework Statement If a force on an object is always directed along a line from the object to a given point, and the magnitude of the force depends only on the distance of the object from the point, the force is said to be a central force. Show that any central force is a conservative force...
  31. K

    Conservative Force problem that has been worked but I still have a question

    My question: Show that \vec{F} is a conservative vector field then find a potential function "f" such that \vec{F} =\nabla f . \vec{F} (x,y) = sin(y)\vec{i} + (xcos(y) + sin(y))\vec{j} I worked the problem and found out that the force was conservative and I found the potential...
  32. H

    Is It Possible to Prove the Conservativity of These Force Fields?

    hello I am having a few troubles on these two force field problems, determining whether that are conservative or not. F = (x, y, z) / (x^2 + y^2 + z^2)^3/2 and F = (x, y, z) / (x^3 + y^3 + z^3) i know that when the force is independent of the path then the force is said to be...
  33. H

    Conservative Force: Mechanical Energy, f(x) & x Value

    a single conservative force f(x) acts on a 1.0 kg particles that move along the x axis. the potential energy u(x) associated with f(x) is given by u(x)=-4xe^(-x/4) J, where x is in meters. at x=5.0 m, the particles has a kinetic energy of 2.0J. a) what is the mechanical energy of the system...
  34. E

    Potential Energy and Conservative Force Question

    Hello everyone, I'm a little confused on how potential energy is related to a conservative force. Say some system has potential energy U. There is a relation stating that \vec{F} = \nabla U I understand the F is some conservative force, but does it represent the net conservative force...
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