Conservative Forces: Friction a Non-Conservative Force?

In summary, friction is a non-conservative force because it is a macroscopic concept based on statistical approximation of electromagnetic interactions at the atomic level. This treatment of friction causes it to be nonconservative, as energy is degenerated into random thermal motion rather than being conserved. Statistics is the key factor in determining the nature of a force, and a nonconservative force is one that disperses energy over many degrees of freedom.
  • #1
SandeshPhy
25
0
Why is friction a non-conservative force ?
It arises to Electric interactions which is a conservative force(field).
 
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  • #2
Yes, friction is due to electromagnetic interactions at the atomic level, which are conservative. However, it is difficult, if not impossible to consider the individual interactions of the atoms. Hence the concept of "friction" on a macroscopic level based on statistical approximation. It is this treatment that causes frictional force to be nonconservative.
 
  • #3
But even then how can statistics change the nature of force,how can it change something that is the way of working of force.
 
  • #4
It is simply nonconservative due to the fact that it is not accounted for - in all. We know that the coefficient of friction concept models the reality of this force decently, but in consequence, it is nonconservative.
 
  • #5
how can statistics change the nature of force
Statistics exactly IS the difference between conservative and nonconservative. A nonconservative force by definition is one that degenerates energy into heat, i.e. random thermal motion. Energy is conserved, but it becomes distributed over a great many degrees of freedom.
 

Related to Conservative Forces: Friction a Non-Conservative Force?

1. What is a conservative force?

A conservative force is a type of force that does not depend on the path taken by an object, but only on its initial and final positions. This means that the work done by a conservative force is independent of the path taken by the object and only depends on its starting and ending points.

2. What is friction and how does it relate to conservative forces?

Friction is a non-conservative force that opposes the motion of an object. It is caused by the interactions between two surfaces and always acts in the opposite direction of an object's motion. Friction is not a conservative force because it is path dependent and the work done by friction depends on the path taken by the object.

3. Can friction ever be a conservative force?

No, friction can never be a conservative force. This is because it is always path dependent and the work done by friction depends on the path taken by the object. Even in situations where friction may seem to be negligible, it still cannot be considered a conservative force because it is not independent of the path taken.

4. How does the presence of non-conservative forces affect an object's energy?

The presence of non-conservative forces, such as friction, will cause an object to lose energy. This is because non-conservative forces do work on the object, which results in a decrease in its energy. In the case of friction, the work done by friction is converted into heat, which is a form of energy that is not available to do work.

5. Can conservative forces ever do work on an object?

Yes, conservative forces can do work on an object. However, the work done by conservative forces is path independent, meaning it does not depend on the path taken by the object. This is because the work done by conservative forces is only dependent on an object's initial and final positions, not the path taken in between. This is in contrast to non-conservative forces, which are path dependent and can do work on an object.

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