Question

Can the kinetic energy of an object be negative? Explain your answer.

Answer 1

KE = (1/2) m v^2.

Answer 2

This does not appear possible. The velocity in the equation KE = (1/2) m v^2, is squared. A squared number always becomes positive in the world of real numbers. Mass cannot be negative either. Therefore, I would have to say that KE cannot be negative.

Answer 3

That's right, the point I wished to make with the equation.