Question

Is it possible for a system to have negative potentialenergy?

A. No, because the kinetic energy of a system most equal ispotential energy
B. Yes, since the choice of the zero o potential energy isarbitrary

C. Yes, as long as the total energy is positive

D. No, because this would have no physical meaning

Answer 1

Yes, since the choice of the zero o potential energy is arbitrary.

Step-by-step explanation:

The kinetic energy is due to the motion of the object. The expression for the kinetic energy is as follows;

`KE=(1)/(2)mv^(2)`

Here, m is the mass of the object and v is the velocity of the object.

The kinetic energy can not be negative as the velocity is squared. It can be zero and positive.

Potential energy: It is the energy is due to the position of the object.

The expression for the potential energy is as follows;

PE= mgh

Here, g is the acceleration due to gravity and height.

Height can be taken from the reference point, zero which can be taken below zero and above zero. Zero is taken as origin. Below zero, the height is taken as negative and above zero, the height is taken as positive.

The potential energy can be zero, positive and negative.

The total energy is the sum of kinetic energy and potential energy.

E= KE + PE

Here, KE is the kinetic energy and PE is the potential energy.

Therefore, the option (B) is correct.