Question

The potential energy of an object cannot be increased by internal forces.

(a) True

(b) False

I had been asked this question in an online interview.

This is a very interesting question from Potential Energy topic in division Work, Energy and Power of Physics – Class 11

Answer 1

Right option is (a) True

To elaborate: The potential energy can only be increased by external forces. Energy increase by internal forces manifests as an increase in kinetic energy. However, potential energy can be reduced by internal forces by increasing kinetic energy.