New Scrap Pad

[Fletcher]

I like to simplify things to remember them ..

So I think like this ..

A conservative force is path independent with no path taken more favourable than another, thus it is a two-way street of proportionality between only PE and KE within a gradient or field ..

A non-conservative force is path dependent generating non-usable dissipative energy losses, thus is a one-way street with these system energy losses proportional to the actual path taken ..

..............

[johannesbender]

Agreed , while for example the total PE to KE conversion of a mass moved through a path from one point to another via gravity is not dependent on that path , and while this mass would for example encounter a varying amount of frictional force along that path , the amount of frictional losses the mass encounters would be dependent on the path taken .

[Fletcher]

Right - because there is no true frictionless path - even a mass dropped vertically in air still encounters non-conservative air frictions ..

But as we do, to simplify theories and experiments ( especially in sim-world ) we take the best case "ideal" scenario of all non-conservative energy losses out of the picture to give the best possible indicative result possible - then we can add back in dissipative energy losses to stress test the sim and bring it closer to real-world conditions - especially if it looks like it might have merit ..

Usually I just turn on and adjust some air frictions as a quick and dirty approximation of all non-conservative energy losses bundled together - in my experience there is no real need for separate pivot frictions etc as all we are trying to do is add an energy dissipating forces to act as a true albeit minor Load approximation initially - it can be upped if it still has promise until the limits are found ..