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

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

What is the mathematical relationship between the frequencies of musical notes that we perceive identical, but at different octaves?


What is Newtons third law of motion?


How do you find the components of a vector?


Why does the Photoelectric Effect lead to the conclusion that classical physics cannot be all of physics?