Which one of these statements regarding non-conservative forces is FALSE?
Select one:
a. A non-conservative force cannot have a potential energy defined for it.
b. The work done by a non-conservative force may be either positive or negative depending on the direction of motion
c. A non-conservative force always opposes motion
d. The work done by a non-conservative force depends on the distance travelled
i dunoo
jdjdjd
Nono
To determine which statement regarding non-conservative forces is false, let's go through each statement and evaluate it:
a. A non-conservative force cannot have a potential energy defined for it.
This statement is true. Non-conservative forces, by definition, cannot be described by a potential energy function. Examples of non-conservative forces include friction, air resistance, and tension in a rope.
b. The work done by a non-conservative force may be either positive or negative depending on the direction of motion.
This statement is true. The work done by a non-conservative force is not solely determined by the direction of motion. It depends on various factors such as the magnitude and direction of the force, as well as the displacement of the object it acts upon.
c. A non-conservative force always opposes motion.
This statement is false. A non-conservative force does not always oppose motion. While friction, for example, generally opposes motion, some non-conservative forces, like tension in a rope, can assist motion.
d. The work done by a non-conservative force depends on the distance traveled.
This statement is true. The work done by a non-conservative force depends on the path followed by the object and, therefore, the distance traveled. As mentioned earlier, it also depends on other factors such as the magnitude and direction of the force.
Therefore, the false statement is: c. A non-conservative force always opposes motion.