Question

A particle moves along a curve of unknown shape but magnitude of force F is constant and always acts along tangent to the curve. Then,

• A. $\overrightarrow{F}$ may be conservative
• B. $\overrightarrow{F}$ must be conservative
• C. $\overrightarrow{F}$ may be non-conservative
• D. $\overrightarrow{F}$ must be non-conservative

Answer 1

The correct option is D $\overrightarrow{F}$ must be non-conservative

A conservative force is dependent only on the position of the object. If a force is conservative then as an object moves from one location to another, the force changes the potential energy of the object but in a way independent of the path.

Since in this case the work is done on the object at every point of time as force makes zero angles with the velocity so energy is changing at every point of time for the object so force is non-conservative.