Question

Assertion: Total energy is negative for a bound system.
Reason: Potential energy of a bound system is negative and more than kinetic energy.

• A. If both assertion and reason are true and reason is the correct explanation of assertion.
• B. If both assertion and reason are true but reason is not the correct explanation of assertion.
• C. If assertion is true but reason is false.
• D. If both assertion and reason are false.

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

A bound system essentially means that the constituents are held together by attractive forces. The potential energy for an attractive force is always negative. But if the constituents had enough kinetic energy, then they would overcome the forces and fly off. But this does not happen because the magnitude of potential energy is greater than kinetic energy. So, both assertion and reason are correct and reason is the correct explanation for assertion.