Why does gravitational potential energy have a negative value?

The negative value stems from the definition of gravitiational potential energy which states that it is equal to the work done by the gravitational field moving a body to its given position from infinity. At an infinite distance away from any other mass, a body would have gravitational potential energy equal to zero. As the body moves closer to the mass, it loses gravitiational potential energy x. Hence, it has negative energy as shown:Energy at current = Energy at start - Energy lost = 0 - x = -x(Where x is the energy lost)

KP
Answered by Kush P. Physics tutor

4935 Views

See similar Physics A Level tutors

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

What's the moment of a force and why would I need to understand it?


An electron falling from one energy level to another emits a photon of wavelength 550nm. What is the difference between the two energy levels?


An ideal gas at a temperature of 22 C is trapped in a metal cylinder of volume 0.2 m^3 at a pressure of 1.6x10^6 Pa. The gas has a molar mass of 4.3 x 10^(-2) kg mol^(-1). Calculate the density of the gas in the cylinder.


A golf ball is hit at angle θ to the horizontal, with initial velocity u. Stating an assumption, show that the horizontal distance travelled by the ball is directly proportional to u^2.


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:

© 2026 by IXL Learning