Difference between revisions of "Conservative force"
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2. The work done on a particle that moves along a closed trajectory (where the initial and final positions are the same, or d<sub>i</sub> = d<sub>f</sub>) = 0) is zero. | 2. The work done on a particle that moves along a closed trajectory (where the initial and final positions are the same, or d<sub>i</sub> = d<sub>f</sub>) = 0) is zero. | ||
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| + | 3. The force can be written as the negative of the gradient of a potential energy function, i.e. <math>\vec F = - grad U </math>. | ||
When the only forces present in a system are conservative, [[mechanical energy]] is conserved. | When the only forces present in a system are conservative, [[mechanical energy]] is conserved. | ||
Revision as of 03:26, October 31, 2007
Conservative forces are those that possess certain properties[1]:
1. The work it does on a particle is independent of its trajectory.
2. The work done on a particle that moves along a closed trajectory (where the initial and final positions are the same, or di = df) = 0) is zero.
3. The force can be written as the negative of the gradient of a potential energy function, i.e. 
.
When the only forces present in a system are conservative, mechanical energy is conserved.
Examples of Conservative Forces:
References
- ↑ Serway and Beichner, Physics for Scientists and Engineers, Fifth Edition
