What is a non conservative force?

A non-conservative force is a force that does not conserve mechanical energy. This means that the work done by the force is dependent on the path taken by the object rather than just the initial and final positions.

Examples of non-conservative forces include friction, air resistance, and tension in a rope. These forces can cause energy to be lost or transferred into other forms, such as heat or sound. Non-conservative forces can also do work on an object that is not reversible, meaning that the energy cannot be recovered.

While conservative forces, such as gravity or spring forces, follow the principle of conservation of energy and do not depend on the path, non-conservative forces must be accounted for when calculating the total work done on an object and the resulting changes in its mechanical energy.