The discussion revolves around the possibility of a change in kinetic energy occurring without the application of an external force. Participants explore examples such as radioactive decay and explosions to illustrate their points.
The conversation is ongoing, with various examples being considered. Some participants suggest that potential energy sources may facilitate kinetic energy changes, while others question the definitions of external forces in this context.
There is a focus on the definitions of kinetic and potential energy, as well as the conditions under which energy transformations occur. The implications of the second law of thermodynamics are also touched upon.
srikanth.isro said:Homework Statement
Is is possible to have a change in kinetic energy without providing an external force.
Homework Equations
The Attempt at a Solution
I want some examples of the above mentioned problem. In radio active decay the alpha particles are coming out from the nucleus with a kinetic energy but we have not given any external force. is this example correct?
rootX said:When a stationary thing explodes?
Initially it does not have kinetic energy, but once its particles started moving in different directions..so net kinetic energy becomes more than 0.
I think you just need to identify a source of potential energy in a system, it is exists then that energy can be converted to kinetic energy