Question

A missile is launched with a velocity less than escape velocity. The sum of its kinetic energy and potential energy is ___________

(a) Zero

(b) Positive

(c) Negative

(d) First positive and then negative

Answer 1

The correct answer is (c) Negative

To explain: For velocity less than the escape velocity, the missile is bound due to the gravitational field of the earth. Hence its total energy is negative.