Given below are two statements: one is labelled as Assertion A and the other is labelled as Reason R.
**Assertion A:** In a central force field, the work done is independent of the path chosen.
**Reason R:** Every force encountered in mechanics does not have an associated potential energy.
In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below.
Answer: (B) Both A and R are true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A
**A:** A central force whose magnitude depends only on the distance from the centre (like gravity or the Coulomb force) is conservative, so its work between two points does not depend on the path. True.
**R:** Not every force has a potential energy: friction and other dissipative forces are non-conservative. True.
But R does not explain A; A is about why central forces are conservative, R is about the existence of non-conservative forces.
Solution by Sreeraj P, M.Sc Physics