Gravitational Potential
Potential at distance r from isolated mass M (zero at infinity)?
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About This Question
- Subject
- physics
- Chapter
- gravitation
- Topic
- gravitational potential
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Year
- 2025
Solution
Correct Answer:
-GM/r
- Definition: Gravitational potential (V) at a point is the work done per unit mass in bringing a mass from infinity to that point.
- Significance of Sign: Since the gravitational force is attractive, work is done by the field itself (not an external agent). This results in a negative potential.
- Mathematical Form: V=−∫∞rg⋅dr.
- Calculation: V=−∫∞rx2GMdx=−[−xGM]∞r=−rGM.
- Conclusion: At infinity, V=0. Closer to the mass, it becomes more negative, reflecting a deeper potential well.
This medium difficulty physics question is from the chapter gravitation, covering the topic of gravitational potential. It appeared in the 2025 exam.
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