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Why is infinity chosen as the reference for measuring potential?
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
Probably because it makes the calculations simpler.
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
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An example of gravitational potential energy?
Any object that is above the chosen reference level has gravitational potential energy. If your chosen reference level is the ground level, a book on the table, or you yourself if you are standing rather than lying on the floor, have potential energy.
Can an object have a negative potential energy?
Yes - if it is below the chosen reference level.
Why does the driver have gravitational potential energy?
Any object that is above the chosen reference level has gravitational potential energy. Note that the choice of the reference level is arbitrary - in potential energy, it is the difference between two levels that matters; it doesn't make sense to talk about the potential energy in absolute terms. However, the ground level is often chosen as a reference level.
Is potential energy on the surface of earth is always zero?
That depends on what reference level you have chosen. If the (arbitrary) reference level you chose is Earth's surface, then anything on the Earth's surface has zero potential energy. If you choose some higher reference level, an object on Earth's surface has a negative potential energy. If you choose a lower reference level, an object on Earth's surface would have a positive potential energy.
Can the gravitaional potential energy of an object be negative?
Yes. Any object that is above a reference level has positive potential energy; anything below that reference level has negative potential energy. For example, if the chosen reference level is the ground level, anything below the ground level has negative potential energy. Please note that the choice of reference level is arbitrary. What matters is the DIFFERENCE in potential energy between two positions - and that doesn't change, whether you choose (for example) the ground level, or some other level, as a reference level.
Does absolute potential energy both zero and negative at point of infinity?
There is really no such a thing as "absolute potential energy"; potential energy refers to the difference in energy between two points. For purposes of calculation, a convenient reference point is often chosen, and one such reference point is a point at an infinite distance.
What is the potential on the surface of the earth?
There is no absolute measure for potential energy. The calculation for potential energy depends on the chosen reference level. Quite often, the Earth's surface is chosen as the reference level - in this case, an object on the surface will have zero potential energy.
What is potential energy on the surface of the earth?
There is no absolute measure for potential energy. The calculation for potential energy depends on the chosen reference level. Quite often, the Earth's surface is chosen as the reference level - in this case, an object on the surface will have zero potential energy.
An example of gravitational potential energy?
Any object that is above the chosen reference level has gravitational potential energy. If your chosen reference level is the ground level, a book on the table, or you yourself if you are standing rather than lying on the floor, have potential energy.
Can an object have a negative potential energy?
Yes - if it is below the chosen reference level.
Why does the driver have gravitational potential energy?
Any object that is above the chosen reference level has gravitational potential energy. Note that the choice of the reference level is arbitrary - in potential energy, it is the difference between two levels that matters; it doesn't make sense to talk about the potential energy in absolute terms. However, the ground level is often chosen as a reference level.
Example of gravitational potential energy?
Any object that is above the chosen reference level (often this is the ground level) will have positive potential energy. Any object below the chosen reference level will have negative potential energy.
Why was water chosen as the standard of reference for measuring temperature and mass?
Because it is readily available nearly all over the world.
What things store potential energy?
Several things, depending on the type of potential energy. Gravitational potential energy: Any object that is above the chosen reference level (often the ground level) has positive potential energy. Anything below the chosen reference level has negative potential energy. Elastic potential energy: For example, a compressed spring. Chemical energy: For example, hydrogen and oxygen separately have a higher energy level than when they combine into water.
Is potential energy on the surface of earth is always zero?
That depends on what reference level you have chosen. If the (arbitrary) reference level you chose is Earth's surface, then anything on the Earth's surface has zero potential energy. If you choose some higher reference level, an object on Earth's surface has a negative potential energy. If you choose a lower reference level, an object on Earth's surface would have a positive potential energy.
Can the gravitaional potential energy of an object be negative?
Yes. Any object that is above a reference level has positive potential energy; anything below that reference level has negative potential energy. For example, if the chosen reference level is the ground level, anything below the ground level has negative potential energy. Please note that the choice of reference level is arbitrary. What matters is the DIFFERENCE in potential energy between two positions - and that doesn't change, whether you choose (for example) the ground level, or some other level, as a reference level.
What form of energy does an elevator have?
If it is above a chosen reference level (e.g., ground level), it has potential energy. While it is moving, it has kinetic energy.
