- #1
avery
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If the positive energy is the capacity to perform work
what about the negative energy?
what about the negative energy?
What is negative energy and how does it relate to the capacity for work?
- Context: Undergrad
- Thread starter avery
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SUMMARY
Negative energy refers to a state where the potential energy is less than zero, indicating a reduced capacity to perform work compared to a reference state of zero potential energy. In physics, there is no concept of negative kinetic energy; however, potential energy can be negative, as seen in electric potential energy, which is often defined as zero at infinity. For instance, the ground state energy of a hydrogen atom is approximately -13.6 eV, signifying that 13.6 eV of energy is required to liberate the electron from the proton. This concept is crucial for understanding bound systems and energy states in quantum mechanics.
PREREQUISITES- Understanding of kinetic energy (KE) and potential energy (PE)
- Familiarity with electric potential energy concepts
- Basic knowledge of quantum mechanics and atomic structure
- Awareness of energy conservation principles
- Research the concept of bound systems in quantum mechanics
- Study the implications of negative potential energy in electric fields
- Explore the relationship between energy states and electron transitions in atoms
- Learn about energy conservation and its applications in physical systems
Students of physics, educators in the field of quantum mechanics, and anyone interested in the principles of energy and work in physical systems.
- #2
tiny-tim
Science Advisor
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hi avery! 
there's no such thing as negative kinetic energy (KE)
and potential energy (PE) is always relative
for example, we usually take electric potential energy to be zero at infinity, which means that (for positive charges) it's always negative!
negative potential energy simply means less capacity to perform work than if the potential energy was 0
(there's always some capacity to do work!
)
there's no such thing as negative kinetic energy (KE)
and potential energy (PE) is always relative
for example, we usually take electric potential energy to be zero at infinity, which means that (for positive charges) it's always negative!
negative potential energy simply means less capacity to perform work than if the potential energy was 0
(there's always some capacity to do work!
)- #3
Khashishi
Science Advisor
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A bound system can be regarded as having negative energy. For example, the ground state energy of a hydrogen atom is about -13.6eV (*). This means it takes 13.6eV energy input to free the electron from the proton.
(*) This isn't the total energy because it doesn't include the rest energy of the proton and electron. The total energy is positive.
(*) This isn't the total energy because it doesn't include the rest energy of the proton and electron. The total energy is positive.
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