Gravitational Potential Difference in Uniform Gravity Field

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In a uniform gravitational field, two clocks at different heights experience the same gravitational force but have different gravitational potentials, leading to differing rates of time. The discussion highlights a misconception that a uniform field lacks potential difference; in fact, potential varies linearly with distance in such fields. The potential difference is defined as the work done to move a unit mass between two points, which can be finite even in a uniform field. The concept of potential at infinity complicates the calculations, as it can lead to misunderstandings about the nature of potential differences. Ultimately, the potential difference in a uniform field is well-defined and can be calculated without resorting to infinity.
  • #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.
 
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  • #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.
 

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