- #1
sciencegem
- 60
- 0
Hi,
I've managed to get myself confused over the simplest thing. Intuitively I'd think that gravitational potential energy is proportional to distance as described by the near-body equation GPE=-mgh. The alternative for farther bodies (-G*M*m/R) has me confused because it is inversely proportional to distance. In other words (the way I see it) GPE grows the "higher up you go" with one equation while it shrinks perplexingly with the other. I know I'm probably just missing something so basic it's pathetic, I'm very frustrated with myself over this. Any hints on how to resolve my mental dilemma are appreciated.
Thanks!
I've managed to get myself confused over the simplest thing. Intuitively I'd think that gravitational potential energy is proportional to distance as described by the near-body equation GPE=-mgh. The alternative for farther bodies (-G*M*m/R) has me confused because it is inversely proportional to distance. In other words (the way I see it) GPE grows the "higher up you go" with one equation while it shrinks perplexingly with the other. I know I'm probably just missing something so basic it's pathetic, I'm very frustrated with myself over this. Any hints on how to resolve my mental dilemma are appreciated.
Thanks!
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