gravitational potential energy
Quick Summary
Gravitational potential energy is stored energy that depends on the relative positions of objects within a system, specifically due to the force of gravity. For instance, a ball held higher above the ground possesses more gravitational potential energy than when it is closer to Earth. This stored energy can be converted into kinetic energy, the energy of motion, as the object falls.
The concept of gravitational potential is crucial in understanding gravitational fields. It's defined as the work needed to move a unit of mass from a specific point in a gravitational field to a point infinitely far away. This scalar quantity's gradient indicates the intensity of the gravitational field. Near Earth's surface, gravitational potential energy can be calculated by multiplying an object's weight by its height above a reference point.12
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