Conservative & Non-Conservative Forces

 

 

Non-Conservative Force: When a non-conservative force does work and puts energy into or takes energy away from a body, the energy is not stored and cannot be recovered. Furthermore, the work done by a non-conservative force depends on the path taken by the force.

 

Conservative Force: A conservative force is a force that transfers energy that is then stored. This means that the work done by a conservative force is completely reversible and may be retrieved or recovered at a later time. The work done by conservative forces does not depend on the path taken by the force from its initial to its final point of application.