Why is gravitational potential energy zero at infinity?

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LCSphysicist
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Homework Statement
Energy potential
Relevant Equations
U = -GmM/r, ro in the infinite
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I was thinking, what would be the consequence if we wouldn't adopt the ro in the infinite, and i conclude that it would just irritate the accounts, with one constant more, am i right? Once what matter is the diference between the U, and no the U infact.
 

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If I understand correctly what you are asking, here is an exercise for you.
A conducting sphere of radius ##R## carries total charge ##Q##. Find the electrostatic potential outside the sphere (##r>R##) assuming that it is zero at the center of the sphere.
 
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LCSphysicist said:
I was thinking, what would be the consequence if we wouldn't adopt the ro in the infinite, and i conclude that it would just irritate the accounts, with one constant more, am i right? Once what matter is the diference between the U, and no the U infact.

We are having difficulty understanding what you are asking. Also, you have not given a source for your question. Please give a reference for where you are getting your question from; I suspect that will help make it clearer what the issue is.
 
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Actualy is a doubt without question, the doubt just came out when i was thinking about potential energy.

Look this: "As with all potential energies, only differences in gravitational potential energy matter for most physical purposes, and the choice of zero point is arbitrary. Given that there is no reasonable criterion for preferring one particular finite r over another, there seem to be only two reasonable choices for the distance at which U becomes zero:
r=0
and {\displaystyle r=\infty }
r=\infty
. "

I was searching in the wikipedia, and with the Kuruman answer, i see the problem in not adopting ro in the infinite
I was thinking if we don't adopt it like that, it could cause some controversy, I see that not. Right?
 
PeterDonis said:
Where is this from? You need to give references, not just quotes without context.
Wikipedia :)
 
LCSphysicist said:
Wikipedia

You are missing my point. You need to provide a link to the specific article. Just saying "Wikipedia" is no help.

Either provide a link or this thread will be closed. We cannot help you if you refuse to abide by the forum rules concerning references.