This document discusses the differences between conservative and nonconservative forces and how they relate to the work-energy principle. Conservative forces, like gravity, do not depend on the path taken and only depend on the starting and ending points. Nonconservative forces, such as friction, do depend on the path taken as the work done will vary based on the route. The document instructs readers to read about these concepts and related labs to understand how conservative and nonconservative forces apply to the work-energy principle.

1. Section 6.5
Conservative and Nonconservative Forces

2. Conservative and Nonconservative Forces
 How do I tell the difference between a conservative and nonconservative
force?
 How do these forces apply to the work-energy principle?

3. Conservative Force
 Conservative Force: When work done by a force does not depend on the path
taken, that force is a conservative force
 Depends on starting and ending point
 Gravity
 If we walk up a steep hill or a shallow hill, the work done against gravity is the
same.
 It depends only on the vertical distance

4. Nonconservative Force
 Nonconservative Force: When the work done by a force does depend on
the path taken, it is a nonconservative force.
 Friction depends on the total path taken

5. Conservative vs. Nonconservative

6. Work-Energy Principle

7. Homework
 Read Section 6-5
 Read Air Track and Spring Labs
 Get acquainted with the lab equipment