Question

Which of the following quantities remains conserved for a system which is subjected to a conservative force?

• A. Total kinetic energy
• B. Total mechanical energy
• C. Total potential energy
• D. Total linear momentum

Answer 1

Answer:

B. Total mechanical energy

For a system subjected to a conservative force, the quantity that remains conserved is the total mechanical energy. Mechanical energy is the sum of kinetic and potential energy. Conservative forces, like gravity and spring forces, allow energy to be converted between kinetic and potential forms without loss. Therefore, in the absence of non-conservative forces like friction, the total mechanical energy remains constant. Total mechanical energy (sum of kinetic and potential energy) remains conserved in a system subjected to a conservative force. In a conservative force field, the work done by the force only depends on the initial and final positions, not on the path taken