Problem on a question about the gravitation potential

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The discussion focuses on understanding the gravitational potential and force fields when a mass is located inside the Earth. The confusion arises from the integration process, particularly regarding a specific term that is not integrated like others. It is clarified that the force equation differs inside and outside the Earth, necessitating a split in the integral from infinity to the radius of the Earth and then to the mass's position. This approach allows for accurate calculation of gravitational potential. The explanation resolves the initial misunderstanding about the integration process.
Garlic
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Hello everyone

1. Homework Statement


In the solution of a question, regarding the gravitational force fields and gravitational potential when the mass is inside Earth (where the height of the mass is lower than the radius of earth), the step where we take the integral of the force in order to get the potential is not very clearly defined, and I have problems understanding why it looks like this:

Where does this blue marked term come from? Why isn't its integral being taken, like the term on the right?
Why can't we simply find the potential by just taking the integral of the force field (without the blue marked term)?
Phy1.png

(Where the GN is the gravitation constant, R the radius of earth, m the mass of an object, and mE the mass of earth, r cap the unit vector of the r coordinate)

Thank you

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

 
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To calculate the potential this way, you need to take the integral from ##r = \infty## to ##r = r_m##. The equation for the force is different outside the Earth than within it, so you have to split the integral into two. The first integral is then from ##r = \infty## to ##r = R## and that's the first term, which is just the potential at the Earth's surface.
 
Oh, now I understand it.. :smile: Thank you
 

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