Why are gravitational forces or spring forces considered conservative forces?

Vedclass pdf generator app on play store
Vedclass iOS app on app store
(N/A) force is called a conservative force if the work done by or against it in moving a particle between two points is independent of the path taken.
$1$. When an external force does work in moving a body against a conservative force (like gravitational or spring force),this work is stored as potential energy.
$2$. When the external force is removed,the body moves by converting this stored potential energy back into kinetic energy.
$3$. Throughout this process,the total mechanical energy (sum of kinetic and potential energy) remains constant.
Since the work done depends only on the initial and final positions and not on the path,these forces are classified as conservative forces. Examples include gravitational force,spring force,and electrostatic force.

Explore More

Similar Questions

$A$ particle moves in a potential region given by the formula $U = K(x^2 + y^2 + z^2)$. Find the force acting on the particle.

Given below are two statements: one is labelled as Assertion $A$ and the other is labelled as Reason $R$.
Assertion $A$: In a central force field,the work done is independent of the path chosen.
Reason $R$: Every force encountered in mechanics does not have an associated potential energy.
In the light of the above statements,choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

$A$ particle is released from rest at the origin. It moves under the influence of a potential field $U = x^2 - 3x$. The kinetic energy at $x = 2$ is ............... $J$.

Difficult
View Solution

Conservative forces are defined as the force for which,

There will be a decrease in the potential energy of the system if work is done upon the system by:

Vedclass Products

For Students

Vedclass Test Series

Mock tests in real JEE/NEET style with performance analysis. 5-day free trial.

Start Free Trial
For Teachers

Exam Paper Generator

Generate Set A/B/C/D exam papers from 7.5L+ questions in 2 minutes. 3 chapters free.

Try Free
For Institutes

Online Exam Module

Live online exams with unlimited students, 360° analytics & white-label branding.

See Demo