Distinguish Between Conservative & Non-Conservative Forces

[Paintjunkie]

I have a general understanding of what a conservative force is. I am wondering if its possible to confuse a non conservative force with a conservative one.

for example, speaking hypothetically, if you were measuring a force in an referance frame that was moving with constant acceleration. should that force be a result of that constant acceleration, you would think that the force was conservative right? If that's right could the same be said with a referance frame moving with constant velocity?

I think I explained that right...
There must be a way to tell but I can't remember...

 

[Valerie Park]

Yes, it is possible to confuse a non-conservative force with a conservative one. In the case of a reference frame moving with constant acceleration, the force is likely to be non-conservative due to the effects of inertia. The same can be said for a reference frame moving with constant velocity. However, in both cases, the force may be conservative depending on the exact nature of the force and the physics involved. To determine whether the force is conservative or non-conservative, one needs to look at the work done by the force over a closed path. If the work done is always zero, then the force is conservative. Conversely, if the work done is not always zero, then the force is non-conservative.