โš™๏ธap physics c: mechanics review

Conservative Force

Written by the Fiveable Content Team โ€ข Last updated August 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 examโ€ขWritten by the Fiveable Content Team โ€ข Last updated August 2025

Definition

A conservative force is a type of force that conserves mechanical energy. The work done by a conservative force only depends on the initial and final positions of an object, not on the path taken.