Question

Consider a two-dimensional force field
$\overrightarrow{F}(x,y) = (5x^2 + ay^2 + bxy)\hat{x} + (4x^2 + 4xy + y^2) \hat{y}$.
If the force field is conservative, then the values of a and b are

• A. a = 2 and b = 4
• B. a = 2 and b = 8
• C. a = 4 and b = 2
• D. a = 8 and b = 2

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

a = 2 and b = 8

Answer 2

The correct answer is (B) : a = 2 and b = 8