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JEE Main 2026 Preparation: Question Papers, Solutions, Mock Tests & Strategy Unacademy » JEE Study Material » Physics » Conservative and non-conservative forces

Conservative and non-conservative forces

Learn about the importance of conservative force, non-conservative force, their definition, properties, and examples. We'll also examine the distinctions between the two forces.

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There are various types of force acting in our surroundings. In physics, force plays a very important role. Any interaction will change the motion of an object when unopposed is understood as force. Forces can be classified into two types of forces: Conservative forces and Non-conservative forces. Most crucial aspect of physics is the Conservative force. The electrostatic force, magnetic force, gravitational force and elastic force are the different types of forces in nature. 

Conservative Force

Conservative force is the force when any kind of work is done by or against it in moving an object is independent of its object’s path. 

Any force required to carry a particle from one point to another, regardless of the particle’s path, is referred to as conservative force. As a result, conservative forces’ work is based solely on the start and finish points rather than the path taken.

Conservative Force Examples

Consider dropping a ball from the top of a ladder. As a cautious force, gravitational potential energy will be evaluated when the ball is at its maximum height and when it reaches the earth. M x g = gravitational force. The ball’s mass is denoted by m. The acceleration owing to gravity is indicated by the letter g. As a result, the quantity of work done on the body can be expressed as Wg = -mgh. The letter h denotes the difference between a body’s final position and its initial position.

Properties of Conservative Force

Let’s look at some of the properties of conservative force qualities now:

  • When considering a loop, a conservative force will always perform zero work. It is because a loop has no specified beginning or endpoint.
  • When it comes to a conservative force, you can quickly undo the job you’ve already done. As a result, gravitational force work could be easily reversed.
  • Finally, only the object’s beginning and end positions affect the conservative force. All other places in between do not affect the final result.

Now that you understand what conservative force is, you should determine what non-conservative force involves.

Properties of Conservative Force

Let’s look at some of the properties of conservative force qualities now:

  • When considering a loop, a cautious force will always perform zero work. It is because a loop has no specified beginning or endpoint.
  • When it comes to a conservative force, you can quickly undo the job you’ve already done. As a result, gravitational force work could be easily reversed.
  • Finally, only the object’s beginning and end positions a

Non-conservative Force

Any force in which the path taken by the object determines the work done with force is referred to as non-conservative force. Friction is one example of a non-conservative force.

Example of Non – Conservative Force

Consider the movement of a body from point A to point B. Another body moves from point A to point B after visiting point C. As a result, the second body will need more effort to get from point A to point B; the path taken by a body has a significant impact on the force acting on it and the work done as a result. Consider the following characteristics to understand the difference between a conservative or non-conservative force field. 

Properties of Non – Conservative Force

  • The path followed determines the total work done.
  • When heat is released, it is a form of lost energy.
  • It is impossible to totally restore the work that has already been done.
  • The total work is not zero when the starting and ending positions are the same.
  • It is irreversible.

Difference Between a Conservative and a Non- Conservative Force

Conservative Force

  • Conservative forces never accomplish any work inside a closed loop.
  • The beginning and end positions of the body dictate the amount of effort done by or against conservative forces.
  • Examples of the electrostatic force, gravitational force and others are conservative forces.

Non – Conservative Force

  • Within a confined path, the work done by non-conservative forces can never be zero.
  • Any force in which the overall work done by the object is decided by the path followed by the object is considered non-conservative.
  • Frictional force, cyclotron induction force are examples of non-conservative forces.

Conclusion 

For the potential at any point, it is possible to appoint a numerical value. Conservative forces are mainly a source of reusable energy. The electrostatic force, magnetic force, gravitational force and elastic force are the different types of forces in nature. An engineer or physicist with a strong knowledge and understanding of the limits of these objects can make car batteries, dams, myriad and many other useful devices. The work done by the conservative force in any path that is closed is zero. The entire amount of mechanical energy is constant only when the conservative forces are acted on and within the system. 

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