Why are values for gravitational potential always negative?

This is all down to how gravitational potential is defined. The gravitational potential at a point is defined as the work done per unit mass to move a mass from infinity to the point in the gravitational field. As all gravitational fields are attractive, this means work must always be done to move a mass AWAY from the centre of the gravitational field, but as gravitational potential concerns the work done per unit mass to move the mass TOWARDS the point in the gravitational field, it always has a negative value.

JS
Answered by James S. Physics tutor

24337 Views

See similar Physics A Level tutors

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

Derive an expression to show that for satellites in a circular orbit T² ∝ r ³ where T is the period of orbit and r is the radius of the orbit.


Derive the escape velocity from the surface of a planet with radius, r, and mass, M.


What is viscosity?


What is Coulomb's law


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2025 by IXL Learning