What is a Conservative System in Classical Mechanics?

[fortaq]

Hello,

Could someone tell me what a conservative system in classical mechanics is? Is it

a) a system in that each particle's total energy is constant

OR

b) a system whose total energy is constant, but the individual particles' total energies may change.


THX, fortaq

 

[maverick_starstrider]

the answer is b)

 

[dE_logics]

Conservative in terms of what?

If it's in terms of matter, then it's a 'closed' system.

If its matter and energy it's an 'isolated' system.

 

[fortaq]

In terms of matter and energy.

But is a conservative system in fact identical with an isolated one?

 

[fortaq]

To add to my initial question:
Is a conservative system not a system in that all forces are conservative? In that case, namely, answer a) should be true.