Chapter 11, Problem 35A

To determine

Whether the kinetic energy of a baseball can be negative or not.

Answer to Problem 35A

No

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

The kinetic energy of an object of mass $m$ travelling at a speed of $v$ is given by,

  $KE=\frac{1}{2}m{v}^2$

The value of the mass and the square of any number are always positive.

Now, the kinetic energy of an object depends on the mass and the square of the velocity. Thus, the kinetic energy of a baseball can never be negative.

Conclusion:

Since the kinetic energy of any object depends on the mass and the square of velocity which is always positive, thus the kinetic energy of baseball cannot be negative.