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The energy that an object has due to its position in a gravitational field is known as gravitational potential energy. The most common application of gravitational potential energy is to Earth’s surface acceleration, which has a potential value of 9.8 m/s2.
Because the gravitational potential energy zero can be chosen at any position (just like the coordinate system zero), the potential energy at a height h above that point is equal to the work necessary to lift the item to that height with no net change in kinetic energy.
The gravitational potential energy is equal to its weight times the height to which it is raised since the force necessary to lift it is equal to its weight.
Gravitational potential energy, mainly under the law of gravity, is used to do work against gravity to bring a mass to a particular position in space. Gravitational force is inverse or inverse of its square. It helps in reaching zero over long distances.
It is also used for zero of gravitational potential energy at an indefinite distance. Mainly gravity is used for positive work, but the energy related to gravity shows negative effects. Its negative properties also define its “bound state”, when large bodies are joined to their masses become one, and as they move away, energy is released from them.
The mass value of m of this gravitational potential energy can be written in this way.
G is the gravitational constant, M is the attracting body’s mass, and r is the separation between their centres. Gravitational potential energy is used to estimate the escape velocity from Earth’s gravity.
Gravitational potential energy is used to bring mass from infinity to the effort exerted against gravity, the formulas for which are as follows.
This expression can be used to calculate escape velocity, orbital energy, and other things. Gravity is a major part of attraction for or near the surface of the Earth, where acceleration also plays a major role. It is assumed to be almost constant here, as well as being used for potential energy relative to the Earth’s surface.
U = mgh
where, h= height above the surface and
g =acceleration of gravity at the surface.
Everyday Life Example
Water from a river cascades to the top of a waterfall.
Gravitational potential energy can be seen everywhere, as well as in the event of a water fall from a high spring. When we observe the flow of water from top to bottom, we find that at high velocity the gravitational potential energy is converted into kinetic energy, due to which the mass of the water also changes.
The reason for this is the flow of water and haphazardly moving forward. Also a part of the kinetic energy is converted into kinetic equilibrium kinetic energy, which helps in increasing the internal energy of this water.
At the top of a slide, a child
Any stored energy that can fall or move is referred to as gravitational potential energy. When we observe the flow of water from top to bottom, we find that at high velocity the gravitational potential energy is converted into kinetic energy. At the start of the slide, the youngster has gravitational potential energy.
When we are in the process of sliding, we also experience friction due to which this friction is also converted into heat, due to which both kinetic and thermal energy is created.
Before the fruit detaches from the branch, it must be ripe.
Any item that rises or falls changes its kinetic and gravitational potential energy. Attraction can be experienced between two or more points or masses, where gravitation can also be observed. Even if we measure the weight of a fruit, then both the mass and gravity will be effective there. She also tells the Gravitational Force.
The Gravitational Potential Energy Equation’s Derivation
Consider the following scenario: A source mass ‘M’ is placed at a location along the x-axis, and a test mass ‘m’ is originally at infinity. It is given by a modest amount of work done in transporting it through a very small distance (dx) without acceleration.
Fdx = dW
F is an attracting force, and the displacement is in the direction of the negative x-axis, therefore F and dx are in the same direction. Then,
Because the work done is stored as potential energy U, gravitational potential energy at a distance ‘r’ from the source mass is calculated as follows:
If a test mass moves from one place inside the gravitational field to another point within the same gravitational field as the source mass, the test mass’s potential energy changes as follows:
Conclusion
This article explains about the gravitational potential energy. The energy that an object has due to its position in a gravitational field is known as gravitational potential energy. The gravitational potential energy is equal to its weight times the height to which it is raised since the force necessary to lift it is equal to its weight. Gravitational potential energy can be seen everywhere, for example, in the event of a water fall from a high spring.
