# A negative potential energy means that work must be done against the electric field in moving the charges apart!

Why is potential energy negative?

The gravitational potential energy is negative because us trying to do the opposite of what gravity wants needs positive energy.

Can potential energy ever be negative?

Potential energy may also be negative because of where you set your zero point, the point where your potential energy is zero. ... If the table top is the zero of P.E. then the same book on the floor now has a negative amount of potential energy.