Calculate Potential Energy between Two Masses in Space with Work Done

[BillyCheung]

Dear all

I know that E(grav) = -GmM / r, Can I use Work done = F x s to calculate the P.E between two mass of the space? Thank a lot.Good Bye

Billy

 

[KLscilevothma]

Originally posted by BillyCheung
Dear all

I know that E(grav) = -GmM / r, Can I use Work done = F x s to calculate the P.E between two mass of the space? Thank a lot.Good Bye

Billy

No, I don't think so because F isn't a constant in a G-field, but we can use integration to derive the formula, E(grav) = -GmM / r.

dw = - F dx

\int ^{w'}_{0} dw = - \int ^{\infty}_{r} \frac{GMm}{x^2} dx

w' = -\frac{GMm}{r}

Where w' is the work required to take an object from infinity to a particular point in a G-field, with distant r away from the other object.