Free AP Physics C lesson
Conservative Forces & Energy
This AP Physics C: Mechanics lesson is designed for AP Physics C self-study. It includes 3 video lessons, 6 practice questions, and an estimated completion time of 24 minutes.
Video lessons
Conservative and Non-Conservative Forces
Watch on YouTubeConservative and Non-Conservative Forces (part 2)
Watch on YouTubeWork Done By a Conservative Forces
Watch on YouTube
Practice covered
- Which of the following is the key characteristic that defines a conservative force?
- A 2 kg box is moved from point A to point B along two different paths. Path 1: moved 2 m horizontally, then 3 m upward. Path 2: moved 4 m upward, then 2 m horizontally, then 1 m downward. If only gravity acts on the box, what can you conclude about the work done by gravity?
- What is a closed path, and what is the work done by a conservative force over such a path?
- A box is pushed around a rectangular closed path on a table with dimensions 2 m by 3 m. A constant friction force of 2 N opposes the motion at all times. Calculate the total work done by friction (in J) for one complete loop around the rectangle.
- What is the relationship between work done by a conservative force and the change in potential energy?
- On a graph of potential energy U versus position x, the conservative force at any point is related to which feature of the graph?
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