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Question

Which of the following forces is/are non-conservative in nature?

A
Gravitational force
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B
Frictional force
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C
Spring force
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D
Electrostatic force
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Solution

The correct option is B Frictional force
Did you read the hint? Now think about which of these forces doesn’t fit that description. Let’s analyze each option in a random order and try to arrive at our answer.
First (d) Electrostatic Force. If I pull a negative charge away from a fixed positive charge, I’m doing work against the attractive electrostatic force, and as I pull it away more and more, I’m building potential energy in the charge. As soon as I let go, this potential energy slowly gets converted to the kinetic energy of the negative charge as it accelerates back towards the positive charge. No energy is lost in the process.
Now, (a) Gravitational force. On the surface gravitational force pulls all objects down. So if I carry a cat to the fourteenth floor, I’ve done work against gravity and built a lot of gravitational potential energy in the cat. And If I now drop him from the fourteenth floor, much to his dislike, his potential energy gradually gets converted to kinetic energy of downward motion. Good thing cats always land on their feet. Or is that a myth? Well with this experiment, we can verify that as well. The things we do in the name of science.
Third, (c) Spring force. You’re seeing a pattern so far. And you’ve probably already figured out that a spring has this pattern. If you pull a spring apart, it builds potential energy and when you release it, it springs back with kinetic energy. No energy is lost in the process.
Finally, (b) Frictional force. You’ve probably already figured out this is our answer. If I push some object, like say a cat, on a rough surface, like say, sandpaper, there’s definitely a lot of friction. But no potential is built in the cat and when I release the cat, it’s not going to spring back with kinetic energy. It might run away for a different reason, but I think I got my point across.
(b) is our answer.
Disclaimer: Don’t hurt cats. Or any other animal. I was only joking.

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