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

2431 Views

See similar Physics A Level tutors

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

Uranium -238 has a half life of 4.5 billion years. How long will it take a 2g sample of U-238 to contain just 0.4g of U-238?


A ball is launched upwards at 30 degrees to horizontal with a velocity of 20 metres per second, how far does it travel before landing? (no air resistance)


If one proton is travelling through space at 0.3c, what is it's kinetic energy in MeV?


How can the first order kinematic (SUVAT) equations be derived?


We're here to help

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

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2025

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences