In this module, we introduce the notion of a Conservative Vector Field. In vector calculus, a conservative vector field is a vector field that is the gradient of some function f, called the potential function. Conservative vector fields have the property that the line integral is path independent, which means the choice of any path between two points does not change the value of the line integral. Conversely, path independence of the line integral is equivalent to the vector field being conservative. We then state and formalize an important theorem about line integrals of conservative vector fields, called the Fundamental Theorem for Line Integrals. This will allow us to show that for a conservative system, the work done in moving along a path in configuration space depends only on the endpoints of the path.

In this module we state and apply a main tool of vector calculus: Green's Theorem. Green's theorem gives a relationship between the line integral of a two-dimensional vector field over a closed path in the plane and the double integral over the region it encloses. The fact that the integral of a two-dimensional conservative field over a closed path is zero is a special case of Green's theorem.