Gravitational Potential
What is gravitational potential Energy?
Gravitational potential energy is different form gravitational potential. Gravitational potential energy is similar to electric potential energy. It is the measure of work done to move a mass ( not unit mass) from infinity to a point in the field of source mass.
Lets say we are bringing a test mass near a source mass, Earth, from the infinity. As the test mass comes closer to earth, according to inverse square law, the force of attraction increases. Unlike electric potential energy in this case no work is done by external agency because two masses are attracting each other. In this case the amount of work done is negative because the work is done by the system itself. So the direction of gravitational field lines are drawn towards source mass (Earth).
How to define gravitational potential?
Gravitational potential is independent of mass of test body. So to eliminate the mass of test body in formula work done is divided by mass of test body.
Gravitational potential is defined as the work done per unit mass. It is denoted by a letter 'g'.
What is formula of gravitational Potential
Consider the amount of work is w to move the test mass m. Then gravitational potential
g=w/m
Unit of gravitational potential we can get from the formula is J/kg
What is gravitational potential difference?
It is defined as the work done per unit charge between any two points. The unit of gravitational potential is also J/kg.
g= w/m
Field Topics
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Field lines
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Equipotential surfaces
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