B Does Standing on a Cliff-Top Decrease Force but Increase Energy?

[Beanyboy]

If I'm standing on a cliff-top, according to Newton's Law of Gravity I exert less force than I would at sea-level. However, it seems I've increased my Gravitational Potential Energy. So, is the reduction in force equal and opposite to the increase in energy?

 

[kuruman]

If I'm standing on a cliff-top, according to Newton's Law of Gravity I exert less force than I would at sea-level. However, it seems I've increased my Gravitational Potential Energy. So, is the reduction in force equal and opposite to the increase in energy?

Nope. Energy and force are two different entities and have different units. The change in potential energy is related but not equal to the change in force. Besides, force has direction (is a vector) but energy does not (is a scalar).

 

[Beanyboy]

Many thanks. I now feel a wee bit less stupid.