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it is conventional to define gravitational potential energy (GPE) of object A to be 0 when the object is free from the gravitational field of object B (i.e. at a infinite distance away)
As the objects get closer together, the GPE decreases, thus is less than 0. Therefore the GPE of any object normally has a negative value (however it all just depends on where you define to be the point at which the object has 0 GPE)
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What is the gravitational potential at infinity?
With potential energy, what matters is the difference in potential energy, not the energy in absolute terms. To simplify calculations, the gravitational potential at infinity is arbitrarily set to zero. This gives objects that are nearer than infinity (to any object that attracts them gravitationally), a negative potential energy.With potential energy, what matters is the difference in potential energy, not the energy in absolute terms. To simplify calculations, the gravitational potential at infinity is arbitrarily set to zero. This gives objects that are nearer than infinity (to any object that attracts them gravitationally), a negative potential energy.With potential energy, what matters is the difference in potential energy, not the energy in absolute terms. To simplify calculations, the gravitational potential at infinity is arbitrarily set to zero. This gives objects that are nearer than infinity (to any object that attracts them gravitationally), a negative potential energy.With potential energy, what matters is the difference in potential energy, not the energy in absolute terms. To simplify calculations, the gravitational potential at infinity is arbitrarily set to zero. This gives objects that are nearer than infinity (to any object that attracts them gravitationally), a negative potential energy.
What is the mathematical expression for gravitational potential energy?
Gravitational potential energy = (object's mass) x (acceleration of gravity) x (object's altitude)
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.
What formula do you use to determine the Gravitational potential energy of an object?
Gravitational potential energy = (weight of the object) x (height) or Potential energy = (mass) x (acceleration of gravity) x (height)
What is gravitational potential energy related to?
The distance from the object providing a gravitational force.
