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Chapter 7: Problem 3

Why can't we define a potential energy associated with friction?

Short Answer

Expert verified
We can't define a potential energy associated with friction because friction is a non-conservative force. The work done by non-conservative forces depends on the path taken and not just the initial and final positions. The work done by them on a round trip is not zero, contradicting the principle of conservation of energy, which only applies to conservative forces.

Step by step solution

01

Introduction to Potential Energy

Potential energy is associated with the forces which are conservative in nature. A force is said to be conservative if the work done by the force on an object moving from one point to another depends only on the initial and final positions of the object and not on the path.
02

Characteristics of Friction

Friction is a force that opposes motion. When an object is moved over another object or over a surface, the object or surface resists this motion due to the tangential force which is friction.
03

Friction as a Non-Conservative Force

Friction is a non-conservative force. It means that the work done by friction depends on the path, not just the initial and final positions. If an object travels from point A to point B, the work done by friction is not recovered when the object moves back from point B to point A. Thus, the work done by a non-conservative force on a round trip (from A to B and back to A) is not zero, which is against the principle of conservation of energy.

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