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because gravity is a force that acts down on an object. In physics up is positive and down is negative

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Q: Why is gravitational potential always negative?
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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.


Why is gravitational potential near to an isolated mass negative?

Because you have to do work on the pair ... add work to them ...in order to separate them.


Relationship between gravitational and potential energy?

Gravitational + Potential = 100 If you have 67 J of potential energy your gravitational energy would be 33 J.


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.


How do you find the gravitational potential energy?

Gravitational Potential Energy is equal to Potential Energy therefore the formula for GPE (Gravitational Potential Energy) is PE=mass x gravity x height therefore the formula is PE=mgh