Conservative & Non-Conservative Forces - Example 7.4-2

Is the gravity force a conservative or a non-conservative force?

Case 1: Consider a particle that falls from position 1 to 2 in a straight line.

What is the work done by the force W as it travels from position 1 to 2?

Case 2: Consider a particle that falls from position 1 to 2 in an angled path.

What is the work done by the force W from position 1 to 1b?

What is the work done by the force W from position 1b to 2?

What is the work done by the force W from position 1 to 2? Remember that work is additive.