- #1
Naty1
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But whereas potential energy is independent of the frame of reference used, kinetic energy has different values in different frames of reference, and so does total energy.
from THE RIDDLE OF GRAVITATION,1992, Peter Bergmann (a student of Einstein)
In response to a post in another thread sometime ago I mentioned that KE is relative and potential energy is not, based on the above. There was some disagreement which I never pursued and so I'd like to hear views regarding the "absolute" nature of potential energy now.
In thinking about it more, it would seem maybe if an observer is racing past an elevated object above earth, say an apple on a table, and determines the PE of the apple, he will observe the table height as reduced...so maybe it's not absolute??
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