Conservative forces are a type of force in physics that do not dissipate energy or cause any change in the total mechanical energy of a system. These forces are path independent, meaning that the work done by a conservative force is the same regardless of the path taken by an object.
Examples of conservative forces include gravity, electric forces, and magnetic forces. These forces follow the inverse square law and do not dissipate energy.
The work done by a conservative force can be calculated by taking the negative change in potential energy of an object. This can be expressed as W = -ΔU, where W is the work done and ΔU is the change in potential energy.
Conservative forces are directly related to potential energy. As an object moves in a conservative force field, its potential energy changes. The work done by a conservative force is equal to the negative change in potential energy.
Conservative forces do not cause any change in the total mechanical energy of an object. This means that the object's kinetic energy remains constant. However, conservative forces can change the direction of an object's velocity, causing it to accelerate or decelerate.