Question

What are conservative and non conservative forces ?

Answer 1

$\text{Conservative forces:}$

$\bullet$ Conservative forces are those forces whose work done does not depends on path. i.e. On moving a body between two points, the work done by conservative forces will always be the same irrespective of path taken.

$\bullet$ No energy is lost when conservative forces work i.e. Total Mechanical energy remains conserved.

$\text{Examples:}$

$\bullet$ All uniform and constant forces e.g. $mg$, Uniform Electric force.

$\bullet$ All central forces e.g Electrostatic force, Gravitational force, Spring force are conservative forces

$\text{Non conservative forces:}$

$\bullet$ Non conservative forces are those forces whose work done depends on path. Longer the path, higher the work done.

$\bullet$ When non conservative forces work, energy is dissipated in the form of Heat/sound.
Example- Friction force, air drag