Gravitational Potential Difference in Uniform Gravity Field

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the concept of gravitational potential difference in a uniform gravitational field. Participants argue that while the gravitational force remains constant, the potential cannot be the same at all points due to the mathematical relationship between force and potential. Specifically, the force is defined as the negative gradient of potential, leading to the conclusion that a uniform field does not imply a uniform potential. The consensus is that potential difference exists between two points in a uniform field, despite the complexities introduced by the concept of infinity.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of gravitational potential and force relationships
  • Familiarity with calculus, particularly integration and gradients
  • Knowledge of gravitational fields and their properties
  • Basic principles of General Relativity (GR)
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the mathematical relationship between force and potential in physics
  • Learn about gravitational potential energy and its applications
  • Explore the implications of General Relativity on gravitational fields
  • Investigate uniform electric fields and their analogies to gravitational fields
USEFUL FOR

Physics students, educators, and professionals interested in gravitational theory, mathematical physics, and the implications of uniform fields in both gravitational and electric contexts.

  • #61
vin300 said:
then according to the definition the potential difference between these points is infinity subtracted from infinity

Which is mathematical nonsense. You are not using the correct definition of potential, and you are being very stubborn about it. Stubbornness can be a useful trait at times, but not when it impedes your learning.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #62
vin300 said:
If the potential at a point according to the definition is infinite, and the potential at another point is infinite, then according to the definition the potential difference between these points is infinity subtracted from infinity
That should tell you that using "infinity" as a reference point is silly. All that physically matters is the change in potential between two points, which is well defined and trivially calculated. For a uniform field, choosing infinity as a reference is asinine.

You are hung up on a definition of gravitational potential that uses infinity as a reference, which is of limited use. Time to move on.
 

Similar threads

Undergrad GPS system and general relativity
  • · Replies 103 ·
4
Replies
103
Views
7K
Undergrad Potential energy and the gravitational field of a collapsing cloud of gas
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
Undergrad Time Dilation in Gravitational Field: Potential vs Field Strength
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
3K
Undergrad Non-Inertial Relativistic Dynamics
  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
2K
High School How do fields retain their uniformity with interposing objects?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
1K
Graduate Looking for linear frame dragging formula
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
776
Graduate How do you convert the Pound–Rebka redshift into time variation?
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
794
High School Time dilation in a planet-moon system
  • · Replies 58 ·
2
Replies
58
Views
6K
Undergrad Does gravity bend gravitational waves?
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
1K
Undergrad Does potential energy curve spacetime?
  • · Replies 28 ·
Replies
28
Views
2K