Can you name a physics problem/idea/concept that involves both “infinity” and “potential energy”?
Question by Male-Man: Can you name a physics problem/idea/concept that involves both “infinity” and “potential energy”?
It doesn’t need to be “infinite potential energy.” I’m just looking for any thought out there in physics that involves the mathematical concept of infinity tied together with the concept of potential energy (even if it’s a loose association). Any relevant problem, or theoretical concept will do just fine. I’m trying to use this to express how these two imaginary concepts are in fact “real” in the sense that they are useful to us, even though they both aren’t immediately physical/sensory things.
I’m sorry my question isn’t very clearly stated. I’m trying to draw a philosophical conclusion from a physics standpoint. If “infinity” is similar to “God” and “hope” is similar to “potential energy” I would like some concrete way of expressing the two together that is of use somehow in physics, even if just theoretically.
Best answer:
Answer by Bekki B
A point source’s potential (electrostatic, gravitational, etc) is defined as zero at infinity (far, far away from the point). Is that what you are looking for?
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