- #1
SciencyBoi
- 14
- 3
Homework Statement
How do we determine a specific force mentioned in a question to be conservative or non-conservative?
2. Relevant data
Conservative force is a force whose work done does not depend on the path that is taken while doing it. Examples include electrostatic force, gravitational force. It is because of this property that we are able to define potential energies.
They can be differentiated by evaluating a closed loop and checking if zero.
Non-conservative force are the opposite of conservative forces. Examples include frictional force.
The Attempt at a Solution
I have tried brainstorming about some particular forces like the one shown below;
Here, I cannot determine if the force is conservative or not. The question required application of Work-Energy theorem, wherein, work of F on block was simply given as F.|AB| + mgh (h being the height it rises by)
Which is only possible if F is conservative.
Please shed some photons. I seem to be missing some concept.