Gravitational Potential Energy Definition

AI Thread Summary
Gravitational potential energy should be defined as a joint property of an object and the gravitational field created by other bodies, rather than in isolation. Referring to the gravitational potential energy of an object without considering other gravitational influences is deemed incorrect. The phrase "the gravitational potential energy of the vase" is less accurate than "the gravitational potential energy of the vase-Earth system." This distinction is increasingly recognized in better scientific literature. Properly defining gravitational potential energy enhances clarity in understanding its relationship with surrounding masses.
jmsmith
Messages
9
Reaction score
0
I have a technical question regarding the definition of gravitational potential energy: How correct is it to discuss/define the gravitational potential energy of object A without regard for the other bodies that are exerting a gravitational force on object A?

I find this kind of thing in science books all the time: "The gravitational potential energy of the vase is 20 J..."

How well does this compare with: "The gravitational potential energy of the vase-Earth system is 20 J..."?

I personally think the second version is better, but I have enough doubts and interest to ask.

Ultimately, how should gravitational potential energy be defined?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
jmsmith said:
I have a technical question regarding the definition of gravitational potential energy: How correct is it to discuss/define the gravitational potential energy of object A without regard for the other bodies that are exerting a gravitational force on object A?
It's not correct at all.

I find this kind of thing in science books all the time: "The gravitational potential energy of the vase is 20 J..."
Little by little, such sloppy usage is going away.

How well does this compare with: "The gravitational potential energy of the vase-Earth system is 20 J..."?
That's the more correct version, found in the better textbooks.

I personally think the second version is better, but I have enough doubts and interest to ask.
Good for you. :smile:

Ultimately, how should gravitational potential energy be defined?
As a joint property of the two objects and their gravitational field.
 

Thread '1:1 versus 2:1 Mechanical Advantage debate'

The rope is tied into the person (the load of 200 pounds) and the rope goes up from the person to a fixed pulley and back down to his hands. He hauls the rope to suspend himself in the air. What is the mechanical advantage of the system? The person will indeed only have to lift half of his body weight (roughly 100 pounds) because he now lessened the load by that same amount. This APPEARS to be a 2:1 because he can hold himself with half the force, but my question is: is that mechanical...
View full post »

Thread 'Average velocity as a weighted mean'

Hello everyone, Consider the problem in which a car is told to travel at 30 km/h for L kilometers and then at 60 km/h for another L kilometers. Next, you are asked to determine the average speed. My question is: although we know that the average speed in this case is the harmonic mean of the two speeds, is it also possible to state that the average speed over this 2L-kilometer stretch can be obtained as a weighted average of the two speeds? Best regards, DaTario
View full post »

Thread 'Newton's first law?'

Some physics textbook writer told me that Newton's first law applies only on bodies that feel no interactions at all. He said that if a body is on rest or moves in constant velocity, there is no external force acting on it. But I have heard another form of the law that says the net force acting on a body must be zero. This means there is interactions involved after all. So which one is correct?
View full post »

Similar threads

Gravitational potential energy question -- Ojbect sitting on the Earth
Replies
3
Views
1K
Gravitational potential energy -- Why is it always negative?
Replies
10
Views
3K
How does gravitational potential energy work?
Replies
27
Views
11K
I How to interpret this definition of potential energy?
Replies
10
Views
2K
How to relate the gravitational potential energy zero to the axes?
Replies
4
Views
2K
Conservative forces, Nonconservative forces and Potential Energy
Replies
9
Views
3K
Two separate "gravitational potential energy" equations?
Replies
11
Views
3K
I Change of coordinates in a potential energy field
Replies
2
Views
1K
Vertical spring, the relationship between potential energies
Replies
10
Views
2K
Question About Potential Energy
Replies
3
Views
2K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top