# Definition of gravitational potential

1. Apr 15, 2015

### Rohan1997

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
The definition of gravitational potential at a point in my textbook is "the work done per kg to move a small test mass from infinity to that point"

I am having difficulty grasping this concept,

how is work done bringing an object closer to earth??

shouldn't work be done in lifting an object hence moving it from distance=0 to that point, and not the other way round??
2. Relevant equations

3. The attempt at a solution

2. Apr 15, 2015

### PWiz

You're right - work is not done by you - rather, it's the gravitational field that does work in bringing the object closer. That's exactly why the formula has a -ve sign.

3. Apr 15, 2015

### AlephNumbers

I think Wikipedia's definition is much clearer. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gravitational_potential The first sentence of that article is probably all you need to know to start solving gravitational potential problems. While your textbook's definition is not wrong, I would have described it differently for an intro to physics student. Also, PWiz speaks the truth.

4. Apr 15, 2015

### Rohan1997

ahh that makes a bit more sense that i can cope with, thank you

But since work is a change of energy would the energy change be GPE---> KE?

5. Apr 15, 2015

### PWiz

The correct way to write it will be $ΔPE=-ΔKE$, because their sum has to remain constant.

6. Apr 15, 2015

### Rohan1997

No you're wrong, I am talking about the energy changes qualitatively not quantitatively, so the way I have wrote it is also correct.

7. Apr 15, 2015

### AlephNumbers

Okay, maybe so, but when you actually have to start solving problems, you are going to need some equations.

8. Apr 15, 2015

### Rohan1997

sound then.

9. Apr 15, 2015

### PWiz

If the potential energy of an object reduces by 5J, then its kinetic energy increases by 5J. I didn't explicitly say you were wrong. What I meant was that its generally suitable to use the equation I gave above to avoid confusion, so that $KE + PE$ stays invariant.

10. Apr 15, 2015

### Rohan1997

I understand what you were saying but again, i'm not talking about anything in quantitative format.... I was describing energy changes in a descriptive way. If an exam question came up asking me to describe the energy changes I would get no marks for writing what you said...

11. Apr 15, 2015

### PWiz

The last part looked like a transformation equation to me... nevermind. If a description is asked, then don't leave room for error by using any loose words. Of course, this varies depending on what is expected from you during an exam, but I have a tendancy to use equations even for these kind of questions in my exams - no room for misunderstanding is then left. In the end however, follow what advice your teacher gives you prior to appearing for the examination (as it will agree with the format in which you're expected to give answers).