Is kinetic energy always positive?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking whether kinetic energy can ever be negative, which implies a fundamental understanding of energy in physics and its properties.
Answer
NO, kinetic energy is never negative.
The final answer is NO, kinetic energy is never negative and is always positive or zero.
Answer for screen readers
The final answer is NO, kinetic energy is never negative and is always positive or zero.
More Information
Kinetic energy is defined as (1/2)mv^2, where m is mass and v is velocity. Since mass is always positive and squaring velocity makes it positive, kinetic energy can never be negative.
Tips
A common mistake is confusing kinetic energy with momentum, which can be negative. Remember, kinetic energy only depends on the magnitude of velocity.
Sources
- Khan Academy - What is Kinetic Energy - khanacademy.org
- Can an object have kinetic energy but no potential energy? - ResearchGate - researchgate.net
- Physics Stack Exchange - Can change in kinetic energy be negative? - physics.stackexchange.com
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