Final answer:
A conservative force allows the work done between two points to be independent of the path taken. For a diver and diving board, assuming negligible friction, the potential energy is initially due to the board's height and increases with the elastic deformation caused by the diver's weight. When the diver leaps, this potential energy converts to kinetic energy.
Step-by-step explanation:
When discussing the potential energy of a diving board and a diver in the context of conservative forces, it is important to understand what a conservative force is. A conservative force is one in which the work done in moving an object between two points is independent of the path taken. Gravitational force is an example of a conservative force.
Assuming the internal friction is negligible, which means the force exerted by the diving board is conservative, the potential energy changes as follows: Initially, before the swimmer steps onto the diving board, there is a certain amount of potential energy due to the height of the diving board above the water. As the swimmer steps onto the board and moves to the end to dive, their weight causes the board to bend downwards, storing elastic potential energy in the board.
Just as the swimmer's feet leave the board, the potential energy stored in the board is released, transferring to the swimmer, now converted mostly into kinetic energy as the diver falls towards the water. Therefore, we observe a conversion from potential energy (gravitational and elastic) to kinetic energy upon the diver's descent.