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Any point can be used as reference point, since the absolute amount of potential energy doesn't have any meaning; only the relative amount (i.e., increase or decrease between two positions) has.

Quite often, one of the following standards is used:

1. For calculations near Earth's surface, the reference point is the floor. However, you can use any other reference point if it makes your calculations easier.

2. For astronomical calculations, the reference point is at an infinite distance. Thus, all potential energies have negative values.

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Q: What is the reference point of gravitational potential energy?
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Which factors must be known to calculate an object's gravitational potential energy?

To calculate an object's gravitational potential energy, the following factors must be known: Mass of the object: The gravitational potential energy of an object depends on its mass. The greater the mass of the object, the greater the gravitational potential energy. Height or distance: The gravitational potential energy of an object also depends on its height or distance from the reference point. The greater the height or distance of the object from the reference point, the greater the gravitational potential energy. Acceleration due to gravity: The gravitational potential energy of an object also depends on the acceleration due to gravity at the location of the object. The acceleration due to gravity is a constant value on the surface of the Earth, approximately equal to 9.8 meters per second squared. The formula for gravitational potential energy is: PE = mgh Where PE is the gravitational potential energy, m is the mass of the object, g is the acceleration due to gravity, and h is the height or distance of the object from the reference point.


How is the position of an object related its potential energy?

The height of an object above a reference point is its potential energy with reference to that point.


At which point does he have the most gravitational potential energy?

It isn't clear what you mean with "he", but an object's gravitational potential energy is greatest at its highest position.


What is difference between gravitational potential energy and gravitational potential?

A body A of mass m is placed in the gravitational field of a body B of mass M. The gravitational potential of body B at a point in the field is the work done is bringing unit mass from infinity to that point and is independent of body A. On the other hand, the gravitational potential energy of body A is the energy possessed by it due to its position in the field. In fact, Gravitational potential energy = mass of body(A) x gravitational potential


The ball has the most potential energy at point 3?

The ball has the most potential energy at the highest point of its trajectory

Related questions

What is the law of gravitational potential energy?

Gravitational energy is the potential energy associated with gravitational force. If an object falls from one point to another point inside a gravitational field, the force of gravity will do positive work on the object, and the gravitational potential energy will decrease by the same amount.


Which factors must be known to calculate an object's gravitational potential energy?

To calculate an object's gravitational potential energy, the following factors must be known: Mass of the object: The gravitational potential energy of an object depends on its mass. The greater the mass of the object, the greater the gravitational potential energy. Height or distance: The gravitational potential energy of an object also depends on its height or distance from the reference point. The greater the height or distance of the object from the reference point, the greater the gravitational potential energy. Acceleration due to gravity: The gravitational potential energy of an object also depends on the acceleration due to gravity at the location of the object. The acceleration due to gravity is a constant value on the surface of the Earth, approximately equal to 9.8 meters per second squared. The formula for gravitational potential energy is: PE = mgh Where PE is the gravitational potential energy, m is the mass of the object, g is the acceleration due to gravity, and h is the height or distance of the object from the reference point.


How is the position of an object related its potential energy?

The height of an object above a reference point is its potential energy with reference to that point.


Potential energy is energy due to?

Potential energy is the energy that is waiting to be use. Such as when a boulder is sitting on top of a hill. The boulder has potential energy because it can be pushed down the hill. sara


At which point does he have the most gravitational potential energy?

It isn't clear what you mean with "he", but an object's gravitational potential energy is greatest at its highest position.


What is difference between gravitational potential energy and gravitational potential?

A body A of mass m is placed in the gravitational field of a body B of mass M. The gravitational potential of body B at a point in the field is the work done is bringing unit mass from infinity to that point and is independent of body A. On the other hand, the gravitational potential energy of body A is the energy possessed by it due to its position in the field. In fact, Gravitational potential energy = mass of body(A) x gravitational potential


What has more potential energy?

The factors that affect an object's gravitational potential energy are its height relative to some reference point, its mass, and the strength of the gravitational field it is in. You didn't say what two things you want to compare.


The ball has the most potential energy at point 3?

The ball has the most potential energy at the highest point of its trajectory


What is the equation for gravitational potential energy when using weight?

GPE = Weight * Height (in suitable units) where the height is measured from some arbitrary reference point.


Can any object have mechanical energy even if its momentum is zero. Explain?

Yes - mechanical energy includes both gravitational potential energy, and kinetic energy. If an object's momentum is zero, then its kinetic energy will also be zero, but its potential energy can be positive or negative, depending on whether the object is above or below the chosen reference level.


Can you have maximum gravitational potential energy and maximum gravitational kinetic energy at the same point?

No, gravitational portential energy is more with more hight and gravitational kinetic energy is maximum just before reaching the ground.


If you lift an apple from the ground to some point above ground the gravitational potential energy in the system increases the potential energy is stored where?

the gravitational field between earth and the apple