Difference between Conservative and Non-Conservative Force

In physics, conservative and non-conservative forces are two types of forces that act on objects. Understanding the difference between these two types of forces is important for predicting the motion of objects. This article by Edukar explores the definitions of conservative and non-conservative forces, their characteristics, and their effects on objects.

Introduction

When an object is in motion or at rest, it is under the influence of various forces acting upon it. These forces determine the state of the object and its motion. In order to understand the behavior of objects in motion and their interactions, it is necessary to classify these forces into different types. Two major types of forces are conservative and non-conservative forces.

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Conservative Forces

Conservative forces are those that depend solely on the position of an object, and not on its velocity or acceleration. These forces are path-independent, meaning the work done by them is independent of the path taken by the object. Conservative forces also conserve mechanical energy, which means that the total amount of energy in the system remains constant. Examples of conservative forces include gravity and the spring force.

Characteristics of Conservative Forces

The characteristics of conservative forces are as follows:

1. They are path-independent.
2. They are always attractive.
3. They do not dissipate energy.
4. The work done by them is equal to the change in potential energy.
5. The total mechanical energy of the system is conserved.

Non-conservative Forces

Non-conservative forces are those that depend on an object’s velocity and acceleration, and not just its position. These forces are path-dependent, which means that the work done by them is dependent on the path taken by the object. Non-conservative forces do not conserve mechanical energy, meaning that the total amount of energy in the system does not remain constant. Examples of non-conservative forces include friction and air resistance.

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Characteristics of Non-conservative Forces

The characteristics of non-conservative forces are as follows:

1. They are path-dependent.
2. They can be either attractive or repulsive.
3. They dissipate energy.
4. The work done by them is not equal to the change in potential energy.
5. The total mechanical energy of the system is not conserved.

Differences between Conservative and Non-conservative Forces

Point	Conservative Force	Non-Conservative Force
1	Work done is path independent	Work done is path dependent
2	Mechanical energy is conserved	Mechanical energy is not conserved
3	The work done in a closed loop is zero	The work done in a closed loop may not be zero
4	Potential energy can be defined	Potential energy cannot be defined
5	The force is derived from a potential energy function	The force is not derived from a potential energy function
6	The work done is reversible	The work done is irreversible
7	Examples include gravitational and elastic forces	Examples include friction and air resistance
8	The force is independent of the velocity of the object	The force is dependent on the velocity of the object
9	The force depends only on the positions of the objects	The force depends on the positions and velocities of the objects
10	The force does not dissipate energy	The force dissipates energy

Summary

Conservative and non-conservative forces are two major types of forces that play an essential role in the behavior of objects in motion. Understanding the characteristics, examples, and differences between these forces is crucial for the design and operation of machines, vehicles, and structures. As we continue to develop new technologies and structures, the study of forces and their interactions will become increasingly important.

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