Gravitational Potential energy

The gravitational potential energy of a mass m is the energy required to bring the mass m from infinity to a point on the field. The zero point for the field strength, and therefore for the gravitational energy, being taken as being at infinity.

For this reason gravitational potential energy described in this way is taken as negative. Energy must be put into an object to raise it away from the surface of the Earth - making its gravitational potential energy less negative. If this seems strange remember that the input of energy when you lift something is positive - the change in the gravitational energy of the object is positive. It can be calculated by simply multiplying the gravitational potential (V_G = g) at the point by the mass m and the vertical distance moved (h) or by using the formula given below based on gravitation theory.

It is important not to confuse gravitational energy with gravitational potential, the gravitational potential energy refers to a mass m and so the gravitational energy at a point in the field distance r from the centre of the mass producing the field is:




See also: Gravitational potential energy