Why does gravitational potential energy have a negative value?

A point in a gravitational field has an associated gravitational potential. It is defined as the work done required to bring a unit mass from a point an infinite distance to that point in the field. At an infinite distance the potential is zero as it is no longer in the field. Work must be done to move a body from a point in a gravitational field to infinity, where the potential is zero. This implies that the sum of the original energy and the work done is zero and therefore the original potential energy must have been negative.

JP
Answered by Joseph P. Physics tutor

2233 Views

See similar Physics A Level tutors

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

Determine an approximate value for the acceleration of free fall using a tennis ball, metre ruler and a stopwatch.


Explain what is meant by the term "plastic deformation".


Alex's rocket lands after 4.56s and Billy's lands after 5.21s. What was the initial (maximum) vertical velocity of both of their rockets as they left the launchpad to 3s.f.?


Using the substitution u=cosx + 1, show that the integral of sinx e^cosx+1 is equal to e(e-1), for the values of x between x=π/2 and x=0


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2025

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences