Q.Underline the correct alternative:
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🔒 Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →Concept understanding — Conservative Force Work
What is a Conservative Force? — Starting from Intuition
Imagine you are carrying a bucket of water up a hill and then walking back down. The work your muscles do against gravity depends only on how high you climbed, not on the path you took. Whether you go straight up the steep side or take a long winding road, the net work done by gravity on the bucket when you return to the starting point is exactly zero.
That is the core idea: a force is conservative if the work it does on an object moving between two points depends only on those points, not on the path taken.
The Precise Statement
A force F is conservative if the work W done by it on a particle moving from point A to point B is the same for every possible path connecting A and B.
Mathematically:
WA→B=∫ABF⋅dris path-independent
This single property leads to two equivalent, powerful consequences:
- Work around any closed loop is zero. If you go from A to B along one path and return along another, the total work is zero:
∮F⋅dr=0
- The force can be written as the negative gradient of a potential energy function U:
F=−∇U
This means you can define a potential energy for the system — a stored energy that depends only on position.
Examples You Already Know
| Force | Conservative? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Gravity (near Earth) | Yes | Work depends only on height difference |
| Spring force (F=−kx) | Yes | Work depends only on stretch/compression |
| Electrostatic force | Yes | Work depends only on charge positions |
| Friction | No | Work depends on path length — longer path = more work |
| Air resistance | No | Same reason — dissipative |
A common mistake: thinking "conservative" means the force conserves kinetic energy. It does not. It means the force itself allows a potential energy to be defined, so total mechanical energy (kinetic + potential) is conserved when only conservative forces act.
Why This Matters for Exams
When you see a problem with gravity, springs, or electric fields, you can immediately:
- Use energy conservation: Ki+Ui=Kf+Uf
- Ignore the path — only initial and final positions matter
- Compute work as W=−ΔU instead of doing a line integral …
Concept: Conservative Force Work — For a conservative force, work done equals the negative change in potential energy: W=−ΔU.
- Positive work (W>0) means ΔU<0, so potential energy decreases.
- Friction is non-conservative and dissipative — work done against friction converts kinetic energy into heat, so the body loses kinetic energy.
- Newton’s second law for a system: dtdP=Fext. Internal forces cancel pairwise, so the rate depends only on the external force. …
Conservative force work is path-independent and equals the negative change in potential energy; friction dissipates kinetic energy; Newton’s second law for a system ties momentum change to net external force; inelastic collisions conserve total linear momentum and total energy, but not kinetic energy.
The Core Idea: Conservative Forces and Potential Energy
A conservative force is one where the work done in moving a particle between two points is independent of the path taken. Gravity and the spring force are classic examples. The key relationship is:
Wconservative=−ΔU=−(Ufinal−Uinitial)
This means: if the conservative force does positive work on the body, then ΔU must be negative — the potential energy decreases. Think of a ball falling under gravity: gravity does positive work, and the ball’s gravitational potential energy drops. Conversely, if you lift the ball against gravity, you do positive work on the ball, but gravity does negative work, and potential energy increases.
Step-by-Step Analysis
1. Part (a): Conservative force does positive work
When a conservative force does positive work, energy is being transferred from potential energy to kinetic energy. The potential energy reservoir is being drained.
- Positive work by conservative force ⟹W>0
- From W=−ΔU, we get −ΔU>0⟹ΔU<0
- So potential energy decreases.
A common mistake is to think “work is done, so energy increases.” But for a conservative force, positive work reduces potential energy — the force is “spending” stored potential energy.
Answer for (a): decreases
2. Part (b): Work done against friction
Friction is a non-conservative force. When a body does work against friction, it means the body is moving and friction opposes the motion. The body must expend energy to overcome this opposition.
- The work done against friction converts kinetic energy into heat (thermal energy).
- Potential energy is stored energy due to position or configuration — friction does not store energy; it dissipates it.
- Therefore, the loss is of kinetic energy, not potential energy.
Think of a box sliding to a stop on a rough floor. Its speed (kinetic energy) goes to zero, but its height (potential energy) hasn’t changed.
Answer for (b): kinetic energy
3. Part (c): Rate of change of total momentum of a many-particle system
Newton’s second law for a system of particles states:
dtdPtotal=Fexternal
where Ptotal is the total linear momentum of the system. Why? Internal forces between particles come in action-reaction pairs. By Newton’s third law, these pairs cancel out when summed over the entire system. So internal forces contribute zero net force on the system.
- The rate of change of total momentum depends only on the net external force.
- The sum of internal forces is always zero for the system as a whole. …
Concept: Core Relations — Conservative Forces, Friction, System Momentum, Collisions
Step 1 (a): Apply W=−ΔU for a conservative force.
Positive work (W>0) means ΔU<0, so potential energy decreases.
Step 2 (b): Identify what friction dissipates.
Friction is non-conservative; work done against it converts kinetic energy (not potential energy) into heat.
Step 3 (c): Apply Newton's second law to a system of particles.
dtdP=Fext — internal forces cancel in pairs (Newton's third law), so only the external force matters. …
Showing the 12 most recent of 39 on this concept.
- TG EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-09-AN1 markMCQQ.A block is at rest at the top of an inclined plane of angle of inclination 30∘. The coefficient of kinetic friction between the upper half surface of the plane and the block is 231, and the coefficient of kinetic friction between the lower half surface of the plane and the block is 431. When the block slides down, ratio of the velocities of the block at the midpoint of the plane and at the bottom of the plane is (A) 2:3 (B) 2:5 (C) 2:5 (D) 2:3
›Reveal solutionSolution
The block slides down two halves of the incline with different friction. Using work–energy separately for each half gives the velocity ratio 2:5, which is option (B).
The problem gives a single incline split into two halves, each with a different coefficient of kinetic friction. The block starts from rest at the top. We want the ratio of its speed at the midpoint (end of the first half) to its speed at the bottom (end of the second half).
Why use work–energy? Because the forces are constant along each half, and we care about speeds, not time. Work–energy directly connects net work done to change in kinetic energy, avoiding the need to solve for acceleration and time separately.
Let the total length of the incline be L. Then the upper half has length L/2 with μ1=231, and the lower half has length L/2 with μ2=431. The angle of incline is θ=30∘.
- Forces and work on the upper half The block slides down, so the component of gravity along the incline is mgsinθ. Friction opposes motion, so kinetic friction force is μ1mgcosθ. Net force along the incline:
Fnet,1=mgsinθ−μ1mgcosθ
Work done by this net force over distance L/2 equals the gain in kinetic energy from rest to speed v1 at the midpoint:
21mv12=(mgsinθ−μ1mgcosθ)2L
Cancel m and multiply both sides by 2:
v12=gL(sinθ−μ1cosθ)
- Plug in numbers for the upper half sin30∘=21, cos30∘=23, μ1=231.
sinθ−μ1cosθ=21−(231⋅23)=21−41=41
So
v12=gL⋅41
- Forces and work on the lower half At the start of the lower half, the block already has speed v1. The net force on the lower half uses μ2=431:
Fnet,2=mgsinθ−μ2mgcosθ
Work done over the lower half (L/2) adds to the existing kinetic energy:
21mv22−21mv12=(mgsinθ−μ2mgcosθ)2L …
- TG EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-10-AN1 markMCQQ.The time taken by a body projected vertically upwards from the ground to reach 75% of the maximum height it can reach is 2 s. The ratio of the kinetic energy of the body at a time t=2s and the potential energy of the body at a time t=3s is (Acceleration due to gravity =10ms−2) (A) 2:15 (B) 4:15 (C) 2:5 (D) 4:5
›Reveal solutionSolution
The key is to first find the initial velocity using the given time to reach 75% of max height, then compute kinetic energy at t=2 s and potential energy at t=3 s, and finally take their ratio. The ratio is 4:15, so option (B) is correct.
Concept and Intuition
When a body is projected vertically upward, its motion is symmetric under constant gravity. The maximum height is reached when velocity becomes zero. The time to reach a certain fraction of that height is not simply proportional to the time to reach the top — we must use the kinematic equations. Here, knowing the time to reach 75% of max height lets us solve for the initial speed. Then we can find the speed at t=2 s (for kinetic energy) and the height at t=3 s (for potential energy). The ratio of these energies simplifies nicely.
Step-by-step solution
- Relate maximum height to initial velocity For vertical projection with initial speed u, the maximum height H is given by
H=2gu2
where g=10m/s2.
- Height at time t The height at any time t is
h(t)=ut−21gt2
We are told that at t=2 s, the body is at 75% of H:
h(2)=43H
Substitute:
u⋅2−21⋅10⋅22=43⋅2⋅10u2
Simplify:
2u−20=43⋅20u2=803u2
Multiply through by 80:
160u−1600=3u2
Rearrange:
3u2−160u+1600=0
- Solve for u Divide by 1 (or solve directly):
u=2⋅3160±1602−4⋅3⋅1600=6160±25600−19200=6160±6400
u=6160±80
So u=6240=40 or u=680≈13.33.
Which one is correct? At t=2 s, the body is still rising (since it hasn't reached the top yet). The time to reach maximum height is T=u/g. For u=40, T=4 s, so at 2 s it is indeed rising. For u=13.33, T=1.33 s, so at 2 s it would already be falling — but the problem says it reaches 75% of max height at 2 s, which can happen on the way up or down. However, the phrase "time taken ... to reach 75% of the maximum height" usually implies the first time it gets there (on the way up). So we take u=40m/s. …
- TG EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-10-FN1 markMCQQ.The correct statement regarding fundamental forces in nature is (A) Electromagnetic force acts over large distances (B) Electromagnetic force needs an intervening medium (C) Strong nuclear force is a repulsive force (D) Strong nuclear force is a long-range force
›Reveal solutionSolution
The key idea is to recall the range and nature of each fundamental force. Electromagnetic force obeys an inverse-square law and does not require a medium, so it acts over large distances — making option (A) correct.
The four fundamental forces in nature are gravitational, electromagnetic, strong nuclear, and weak nuclear. Each has a distinct range, relative strength, and whether it requires a medium. The question tests your grasp of these properties, especially for electromagnetic and strong nuclear forces.
Let’s examine each option carefully.
-
Option (A): Electromagnetic force acts over large distances
The electromagnetic force between charged particles follows an inverse-square law (F∝1/r2), just like gravity. This means its influence extends to infinity, though it weakens with distance. It does not need a medium — it can act through vacuum (e.g., light from the Sun reaches Earth). So this statement is true.
-
Option (B): Electromagnetic force needs an intervening medium
This is false. Electromagnetic interactions are mediated by photons, which can travel through empty space. No material medium is required. This was a historical misconception (the "aether" idea) that has been disproven.
-
Option (C): Strong nuclear force is a repulsive force …
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- TG EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-10-FN1 markMCQQ.A ball of mass 5 kg moving with a kinetic energy of 90 J collides head-on with another ball of mass 4 kg at rest. If the relative velocity of separation between the two balls after collision is 3ms−1, then the loss of kinetic energy due to the collision is (A) 30 J (B) 60 J (C) 90 J (D) 45 J
›Reveal solutionSolution
Using conservation of momentum and the given relative velocity of separation, we find the final velocities and compute the loss in kinetic energy. The loss is 30 J.
The problem involves a head-on collision between two balls. You are given the masses, the initial kinetic energy of the moving ball, and the relative velocity of separation after the collision. The key is to combine conservation of momentum with the definition of relative velocity to find the final velocities, then compare the total kinetic energy before and after.
Let’s break it down.
- Find the initial velocity of the 5 kg ball. Kinetic energy is K=21mv2. For the 5 kg ball, K=90 J.
21×5×v12=90⇒v12=5180=36⇒v1=6 m/s
The 4 kg ball is at rest, so its initial velocity v2=0.
- Apply conservation of linear momentum. Let the velocities after collision be v1′ (5 kg ball) and v2′ (4 kg ball), both in the same direction as the initial motion (say positive). Initial momentum: 5×6+4×0=30 kgm/s. Final momentum: 5v1′+4v2′.
5v1′+4v2′=30(1)
- Use the relative velocity of separation. The relative velocity of separation is given as 3 m/s. For a head-on collision, separation velocity = v2′−v1′ (since both move forward, the faster one ahead).
v2′−v1′=3(2)
- Solve for v1′ and v2′. From (2): v2′=v1′+3. Substitute into (1):
5v1′+4(v1′+3)=30⇒5v1′+4v1′+12=30⇒9v1′=18⇒v1′=2 m/s
Then v2′=2+3=5 m/s.
- Compute the kinetic energy after collision. …
- TG EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-11-FN1 markMCQQ.When an electron and a positron at rest annihilate each other, the momentum of each of the photons emitted is (Rest mass of electron =9×10−31 kg) (A) 36×10−23 kgms−1 (B) 9×10−23 kgms−1 (C) 27×10−23 kgms−1 (D) 18×10−23 kgms−1
›Reveal solutionSolution
Each photon carries energy mec2, so its momentum is p=mec=27×10−23 kg m s−1 — option (C).
Setup
An electron and positron at rest annihilate into two photons. The total initial momentum is zero, so by momentum conservation the two photons fly off in opposite directions with equal and opposite momenta. By symmetry they share the total energy equally.
Step 1 — Energy of each photon
Total rest energy released:
Etot=2mec2.
Shared equally, each photon has
Eγ=mec2.
Step 2 — Photon momentum
For a photon E=pc, so …
- TG EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-11-AN1 markMCQQ.If a capacitor is charged by connecting it to a battery, then the ratio of work done by the battery and the energy stored in the capacitor is (A) 3:2 (B) 1:2 (C) 1:1 (D) 2:1
›Reveal solutionSolution
When a battery charges a capacitor, the battery does twice the work that ends up stored as electrostatic energy; the missing half is lost as heat in the circuit resistance. The ratio of work done by the battery to energy stored is therefore 2:1, which corresponds to option (D).
Why this ratio is not 1:1
A common first guess is that all the work done by the battery goes into the capacitor’s stored energy — after all, the capacitor ends up with charge Q and voltage V. But that would violate energy conservation if we think carefully: the battery must also push charge through any resistance in the circuit, and that dissipates energy as heat. Even if the resistance is tiny, the process is not reversible; the capacitor’s final state is the same regardless of resistance, but the battery’s total work depends on the path.
The key insight: The battery supplies a constant voltage V and delivers a total charge Q. The work done by the battery is simply Wbattery=QV. Meanwhile, the energy stored in the capacitor is 21QV. The factor of 21 appears because the capacitor’s voltage builds from 0 to V as charge accumulates, so the average voltage during charging is V/2.
Step-by-step reasoning
-
Set up the charging process
A battery of emf V is connected to an initially uncharged capacitor of capacitance C through some resistance (even if small). The battery maintains a constant potential difference V across its terminals.
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Work done by the battery
The battery pushes a total charge Q=CV from its negative to its positive terminal. Since the potential difference is constant V, the work done is
Wbattery=Q⋅V=CV2.
- Energy stored in the capacitor The energy stored in a capacitor is given by
Ucap=21CV2=21QV.
This is the area under the Q-V graph for the capacitor (a triangle), whereas the battery’s work is the area of the rectangle Q×V.
- Find the ratio
UcapWbattery=21CV2CV2=12.
So the ratio is 2:1.
- Where does the extra energy go? …
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- TG EAPCET 2026Set ap-2026-05-04-AN1 markMCQQ.A body of mass 4kg moving with a velocity of 12ms−1 collides head-on with a stationary body of mass 2kg. If the relative velocity of separation of the two bodies after collision is 6ms−1, then the percentage loss of kinetic energy of the body of mass 4kg is (A) 75 (B) 25 (C) 15 (D) 50
›Reveal solutionSolution
Using momentum conservation with the given separation speed, the 4kg body slows from 12 to 6 m/s, losing 75% of its kinetic energy — option (A).
Given: m1=4kg, u1=12 m/s; m2=2kg, u2=0; relative velocity of separation v2−v1=6 m/s.
Conservation of momentum:
m1u1+m2u2=m1v1+m2v2⟹48=4v1+2v2⟹2v1+v2=24.
Separation condition: v2−v1=6, so v2=v1+6. Substituting: …
- TG EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-02-FN1 markMCQQ.The work done in blowing a soap bubble of diameter 3 cm is (Surface tension of soap solution = 0.035 Nm−1) (A) 792 μJ (B) 99 μJ (C) 396 μJ (D) 198 μJ
›Reveal solutionSolution
The work done equals the increase in surface energy, which is surface tension times the total increase in surface area. A soap bubble has two surfaces (inner and outer), so the total area is 2×4πr2=8πr2. With diameter 3 cm (radius 1.5 cm) and surface tension 0.035 N/m, the work is 198 μJ, corresponding to option (D).
The key idea is that work done in forming a bubble is stored as surface energy. A soap bubble has two surfaces — an inner and an outer film — each contributing to the total surface area. The work required is the surface tension multiplied by the total increase in surface area (from essentially zero to the final bubble).
Why this works: Surface tension σ is the energy per unit area. So if you create a new surface of area A, the energy cost is σA. For a bubble blown from a tiny film (negligible initial area), the work done is σ×(final total surface area).
Step-by-step solution
-
Find the radius from the diameter
Diameter = 3 cm = 0.03 m, so radius r=20.03=0.015 m.
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Surface area of one spherical surface
Area of a sphere = 4πr2.
-
Total surface area of the bubble
A soap bubble has two surfaces (inner and outer), so the total area is
Atotal=2×4πr2=8πr2.
- Work done = surface tension × total area
W=σ×8πr2=0.035×8π(0.015)2.
- Evaluate
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- TG EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-02-AN1 markMCQQ.Due to global warming, if the ice in the polar region melts and some of this water flows to the equatorial region, then (A) Angular momentum of the earth increases and duration of day increases (B) Angular momentum of the earth decreases and duration of day decreases (C) Angular momentum of the earth is constant and duration of day decreases (D) Angular momentum of the earth is constant and duration of day increases
›Reveal solutionSolution
The Earth’s angular momentum is conserved (no external torque), but redistributing mass toward the equator increases the moment of inertia, which decreases the angular speed, lengthening the day. The correct option is (D).
Concept & Intuition
The key idea is conservation of angular momentum. For the Earth–water system, no external torque acts (ignoring tidal friction for this problem). When polar ice melts and the water moves toward the equator, mass is shifted farther from the Earth’s rotation axis. This increases the Earth’s moment of inertia I. Since angular momentum L=Iω is constant, an increase in I forces a decrease in angular speed ω. A slower spin means a longer day.
Step-by-step reasoning
- Identify the system and external torques The Earth plus the melted water is an isolated system for rotation (neglecting gravitational interactions with the Moon and Sun). No external torque acts about the Earth’s spin axis, so angular momentum is conserved:
Linitial=Lfinal.
- Write angular momentum in terms of moment of inertia and angular speed
L=Iω,
where ω=T2π and T is the duration of a day. Conservation gives:
Iiωi=Ifωf.
- Analyze the change in moment of inertia
- Initially, ice is near the poles (close to the rotation axis), contributing little to I.
- After melting, the water spreads toward the equator (far from the axis).
- Moment of inertia depends on r2 (distance from axis). Moving mass outward increases I:
If>Ii.
- Determine the effect on angular speed and day length From conservation: ωf=IfIiωi. …
- TG EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-04-AN1 markMCQQ.A solid sphere of mass 2 kg and radius 0.5 m is rolling without slipping on a horizontal surface. The ratio of the rotational and translational kinetic energies of the sphere is (A) 3:5 (B) 2:5 (C) 4:5 (D) 7:5
›Reveal solutionSolution
For a solid sphere rolling without slipping, the rotational kinetic energy is 52 of the translational kinetic energy, so the ratio is 2:5, which corresponds to option (B).
The key here is that rolling without slipping couples the rotational and translational motion through the condition v=ωR. The kinetic energy splits into two parts: translational (21mv2) and rotational (21Iω2). For a solid sphere, the moment of inertia is I=52mR2. Once you substitute the rolling condition, the ratio emerges directly from these constants — no extra physics needed.
-
Write the two kinetic energy expressions.
Translational: Ktrans=21mv2
Rotational: Krot=21Iω2
-
Insert the moment of inertia for a solid sphere.
I=52mR2, so
Krot=21(52mR2)ω2=51mR2ω2
-
Use the rolling condition v=ωR to eliminate ω.
Replace ω with v/R:
Krot=51mR2(Rv)2=51mv2
-
Form the ratio. …
-
- TG EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-04-FN1 markMCQQ.During the disintegration of a radioactive nucleus of mass number 208 at rest, two alpha particles each with kinetic energy E are emitted. The total kinetic energy of the emitted alpha particles and the daughter nucleus after the disintegration is (A) 5051E (B) 2526E (C) 2552E (D) 2551E
›Reveal solutionSolution
The parent (mass number 208) leaves a daughter of mass number 200. The two α-particles (4 u each) carry momentum p in the same direction, so the daughter recoils with momentum 2p and kinetic energy 252E; total =2E+252E=2552E.
Setting up
Mass numbers: parent =208, each α=4, so the daughter =208−2(4)=200. Taking mass ∝ mass number, mα:md=4:200=1:50, i.e. md=50mα.
Each α has kinetic energy E, so its momentum satisfies
p2=2mαE.
Momentum conservation
The parent is at rest, so the total momentum after disintegration is zero. The two identical α-particles leave with equal momentum p in the same direction, together carrying momentum 2p; the daughter must recoil with equal and opposite momentum: …
- TG EAPCET 2025Set ap-2025-04-29-FN1 markMCQQ.In the β+ decay, the particle emitted along with neutron and positron is (A) Electron (B) Proton (C) Neutrino (D) Anti-neutrino
›Reveal solutionSolution
In β+ decay, a proton transforms into a neutron, a positron, and a neutrino — the missing particle is the neutrino, option (C).
The key to this question is understanding what conservation laws demand in a nuclear decay. In any radioactive process, charge, mass-energy, and lepton number must all be conserved. Lepton number is a quantum number: leptons (like electrons, positrons, neutrinos) have lepton number +1, antileptons have −1, and all other particles have 0. This is the hidden rule that tells us exactly which particle is emitted alongside the positron.
In β+ decay, a proton-rich nucleus converts a proton into a neutron. The reaction inside the nucleus is:
p→n+e++ν
Here e+ is the positron (the antiparticle of the electron), and ν is a neutrino. The positron carries away positive charge, and the neutrino carries away energy and lepton number — without it, lepton number would not balance.
Let’s walk through the reasoning step by step.
-
Identify the decay process. In β+ decay, a proton in the nucleus changes into a neutron. The atomic number Z decreases by 1, while the mass number A stays the same. The emitted particles are a positron (e+) and a neutral, nearly massless particle.
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Check charge conservation. The proton has charge +1. The neutron is neutral (0), and the positron has charge +1. So charge is already balanced: +1→0+(+1). No other charged particle is needed.
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Check lepton number conservation. This is the crucial step. The proton and neutron are not leptons — they have lepton number 0. The positron is an antilepton, so it has lepton number −1. To conserve lepton number, the other emitted particle must have lepton number +1 (so that 0→−1+(+1)=0). The only particle that fits is a neutrino (ν), which is a lepton with lepton number +1.
-
Eliminate the wrong options.
- (A) Electron: An electron has lepton number +1, but it is negatively charged. Adding an electron would give total charge +1+(−1)=0, which doesn’t match the proton’s +1 charge. Also, β+ decay emits a positron, not an electron.
- (B) Proton: Emitting a proton would change the nucleus in a completely different way (like proton emission), and it would not conserve lepton number or match the known decay mode. …
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