Is the gravitational force higher than it should be?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of gravitational energy and gravitational potential energy, particularly in relation to masses at rest on the surface of a planet and those in free fall. Participants explore the implications of different reference points for measuring gravitational potential energy and the relationship between gravitational force and pressure exerted by mass.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that gravitational potential energy is relative and depends on the chosen reference point, such as the surface of the Earth or its center.
  • Others argue that a mass at rest on the surface has zero gravitational potential energy relative to that surface, but this does not imply that the gravitational force is also zero.
  • A participant questions how a mass on the surface can exert pressure if it has zero gravitational potential energy at that reference point, suggesting that gravitational force must still be present.
  • There is a suggestion that the concept of "gravitational energy" may be conflated with "gravitational potential energy," leading to confusion in the discussion.
  • One participant mentions that if the reference point were a cloud at 1000m, the object on the surface would have negative gravitational potential energy.
  • Another participant seeks clarification on whether an object with weight exerts a force against the ground and whether energy is required to exert that force.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the definitions and implications of gravitational potential energy and gravitational force. There is no consensus on how these concepts relate to pressure exerted by mass or the necessity of energy to exert force.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the ambiguity in the terms "gravitational energy" versus "gravitational potential energy," and the dependence of gravitational potential energy on the chosen reference point, which remains unresolved.

nabil23
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does the mass on the surface of the planet (in state of rest ) has inside it the same gravitational energy to a similar mass after a free falling above its surface for one entire second?
 
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Hi and welcome to PF
It's not clear exactly what you want to know but I can tell you that the Gravitational Energy just depends on the Position (height above the reference level) of the mass. If it has already fallen for a second, it will have gained Kinetic Energy and will have less Gravitational Potential Energy than where it started.
Ignoring energy lost by friction through the air, the sum of the GPE and the KE will be the same.
 
nabil23 said:
does the mass on the surface of the planet (in state of rest ) has inside it the same gravitational energy...

Gravitational potential energy is relative so it depends where your reference is. If your reference is the surface of the Earth then it will have zero gravitational potential energy. If your reference is the centre of the Earth it will be non zero.

..to a similar mass after a free falling above its surface for one entire second?

While it falls its gravitational potential energy will reduce. The absolute value at any time depends on its height at that time. It will only have the same gravitational potential energy when it's also on the surface.
 
If the reference is the surface of the Earth, the mass will have zero gravitational energy ? so how the mass on the surface of the Earth cause pressure to the interior? it must have the energy to cause pressure.
 
nabil23 said:
If the reference is the surface of the Earth, the mass will have zero gravitational energy ? so how the mass on the surface of the Earth cause pressure to the interior? it must have the energy to cause pressure.
Well, first you are taking the reference point to be the surface of the Earth and are correctly stating that it has zero potential energy relative to that position, THEN you are taking the reference point as being the center of the Earth and you are complaining that it has potential energy relative to THAT reference point, which of course it does. You need to make up your mind what your reference point is.
 
Last edited:
nabil23 said:
If the reference is the surface of the Earth, the mass will have zero gravitational energy ? so how the mass on the surface of the Earth cause pressure to the interior? it must have the energy to cause pressure.
I said that on the surface it has zero gravitational potential _energy_ relative to the surface. The gravitational _force_ is not zero.Work (or energy) = force * distance

The distance between the surface and the surface is zero (obviously).

The force is not zero.
 
If the reference was a cloud at 1000m the object on the surface would have negative gravitational potential energy.
 
There may be a bit of a language barrier at work here. I notice that the OP asked about “gravitational energy “, and all responses have been about “gravitational potential energy “. Nabil23, let me see if I understand your latest post correctly. You are observing that an object on the ground exerts pressure against the ground, and you are asking how it can exert a force if it has no energy, and the source of that energy is apparently gravity, right?

So the main questions to ask would be, “does an object with weight exert a force against the ground beneath it?”, “is energy required in order to exert a force?”, and “if so, what is the source of that energy?”. Does that sound right to you?
 
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