Energy & Pendulums: Is Negative Energy Real?

In summary, the conversation discusses whether absorbing negative energy from gravity can cancel the upward momentum of a pendulum. The speaker questions where negative energy can be observed and if it can repel objects. It is acknowledged that the pendulum slows down, but the rest is considered made up and open to interpretation. The other person suggests writing down the actual mathematical equation to see if there is any negative energy involved, but notes that it can be written in a way to create that appearance without it actually being present. They also mention that using Newtonian math can make the concept simpler.
  • #1
Paige_Turner
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TL;DR Summary
A rising but slowing pendulum...
Does "absorbing" negative energy from gravity cancel the upward momentum of the pendulum?
Or what?
Where can I see energy being negative? Does it repel stuff?
It sounds impossible.
 
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  • #2
All we really know is that the pendulum slows down.. You need to know the math and the experimental result. The rest of it is made up, so we can make the words mean anything we wish
 
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  • #3
Paige_Turner said:
Does "absorbing" negative energy from gravity cancel the upward momentum of the pendulum?
Write down the actual math. Is there any "energy" in it that is negative? (Hint: you can write down the math so that there is, but it won't mean what you seem to think it means.) You can even use the Newtonian math, which is simpler.
 
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FAQ: Energy & Pendulums: Is Negative Energy Real?

What is negative energy?

Negative energy is a concept in physics that refers to the potential energy of an object in a system. It is often used in reference to the energy of an object that is lower than the reference point or ground state of the system.

Is negative energy real?

The concept of negative energy is a theoretical one and is not directly observable. However, it is a useful concept in physics and has been used in various theories and models to explain phenomena such as the expansion of the universe and the behavior of particles in quantum mechanics.

How is negative energy related to pendulums?

In the context of pendulums, negative energy can refer to the potential energy of the pendulum at its highest point, when it has stopped moving and is about to swing back in the opposite direction. This potential energy is negative because it is lower than the reference point of the pendulum, which is typically the lowest point of its swing.

Can negative energy be harnessed or used in any way?

As mentioned earlier, negative energy is a theoretical concept and is not directly observable. Therefore, it cannot be harnessed or used in any practical way.

How does negative energy affect the behavior of pendulums?

Negative energy does not directly affect the behavior of pendulums. However, it is a useful concept in understanding the potential energy of a pendulum at different points in its swing, and can be used in calculations and models to predict its behavior.

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