Question

can the gravitational potential energy of an object ever be negative? multiple choice no, gravitational potential energy is always positive or zero. yes, gravitational potential energy can be negative relative to a chosen reference point. yes, gravitational potential energy is negative when the object is very close to the source of gravity. no, gravitational potential energy only depends on the mass of the object and the value of g. thus, it is always positive or zero.

Explanation:

Gravitational potential energy (\(U = mgh\) for near - Earth or \(U=-\frac{GMm}{r}\) for universal) depends on the reference point. If the reference point (where \(U = 0\)) is set above the object's position (for \(U=mgh\)) or at infinity (for \(U =-\frac{GMm}{r}\)), the potential energy can be negative relative to that reference. The first option is wrong as \(U\) can be negative. The third option's reasoning is incorrect (closeness isn't the sole reason). The fourth option is wrong as \(U\) depends on height (or distance) too. So the correct option is the second one.

Answer:

Yes, gravitational potential energy can be negative relative to a chosen reference point.