Gravitational potential energy formulas

[marialovesphysics]

m.g.h = (GMm)/r how can we prove that mgh is potential energy and both equal to that???

 

[sysprog]

Prof. Richard Muller discusses this in the first answer here: https://www.quora.com/Whats-the-dif...versus-mgh-for-gravitational-potential-energy

 

[mpresic3]

You kind of have to watch out. when you use U = mgh, your zero of potential energy is at h = 0.

when you use the other equation, the zero of potential energy is at r = infinity.

m gh is based on a constant gravity (or flat Earth assumption) good for local physics

the other equation is based on a inverse square gravity. good when far from Earth center.