What is the definition of gravitational potential?

Gravitational potential is defined as the work done per unit mass to move an object from infinity to that point.

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What is the gravitational potential at infinity?

Zero

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What is gravitational potential difference?

Gravitational potential difference between two points is the work done per unit mass to move an object from one point to another.

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What are gravitational equipotentials?

Gravitational equipotentials are points in a gravitational field where every point has the same gravitational potential.

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Is work done when moving along a gravitational equipotential?

No work is done when moving along an equipotential surface because there is no change in gravitational potential.

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How can gravitational potential difference be found using a graph?

Gravitational potential difference can be found as the area under a graph of gravitational field strength (g) against distance from the source (r).

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What is the unit of gravitational potential?

J kg-1

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What is the effect of mass on gravitational potential?

The greater the mass of an object, the greater its gravitational potential.

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What is the shape of an equipotential surface in a uniform gravitational field?

In a uniform gravitational field, equipotential surfaces are horizontal planes.

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What is the shape of an equipotential surface in a radial gravitational field?

In a radial gravitational field, equipotential surfaces are spherical.

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What is the formula that links gravitational potential (V), gravitational constant (G), mass (M), and distance (r)?

V = − rGM​


V = gravitational potential (J kg-1)

G = gravitational constant = 6.67 x 10-11 (N m2 kg-2)

M = mass (kg)

r = distance from centre of the object (m)

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