Why are values of gravitational potential negative?
One way of defining potential is:The GPE per unit massWe define an infinite distance from the centre of our field to have zero potential, this means that energy needs to be provided to an object for it to reach zero potential - and hence zero potential energy. If energy needs to be provided to reach zero potential, then our values must be below zero.
HT
Related Physics A Level answers
All answers ▸A student heats a bar of chocolate in the microwave for one minute. When they remove the bar they observe that there are patches of melted chocolate with unmelted chocolate between them. Suggest the mechanism of how this happens.
If an alpha particle (Z = 2) of kinetic energy 7 MeV is incident on a gold nucleus (Z = 79), what is its closest distance of approach?
An aeroplane lands on the runway with a velocity of 50 m/s and decelerates at 10 m/s^2 to a velocity of 20 m/s. Calculate the distance travelled on the runway.
Use the kinetic theory of gases to explain why the pressure inside a container increases when the temperature of the air inside it rises. Assume that the volume of the container remains constant.