What is meant by gravitational potential energy?
Gravitational energy or gravitational potential energy is the potential energy a massive object has in relation to another massive object due to gravity. It is the potential energy associated with the gravitational field, which is released (converted into kinetic energy) when the objects fall towards each other.
Why is it easier to go up the hill in a zigzag rather than ascending it in a straight line?
It is easier to climb a mountain in a zigzag pattern because then you are travelling on a longer path (inclined path) less force needed to apply for moving up. When climb straight up, this is the shortest distance but the gravitational pull is more for each step.
Does gravitational potential energy increase with distance?
Gravitational potential energy at large distances is directly proportional to the masses and inversely proportional to the distance between them. The gravitational potential energy increases as r increases.
What is the gravitational potential energy for infinite distance?
The gravitational potential due to earth at infinite distance from it is zero. Let the gravitational potential at a point P be −5 Jkg−1.
Is gravity weaker on Mount Everest?
In addition, gravity is weaker at the equator because of centrifugal forces produced by the planet’s rotation. Gravity is also a bit weaker at higher altitudes, being farther from Earth’s center, such as the summit of Mount Everest.
Why is the force of gravity different on the moon?
The Moon’s surface gravity is weaker because it is far less massive than Earth. A body’s surface gravity is proportional to its mass, but inversely proportional to the square of its radius. You do not have the same weight on Earth as you would on the Moon, Pluto, or even the Sun or a neutron star.
Why is the value of G more in Terai than in the mountain?
The value of acceleration due to gravity is greater in terai than in mountain. In terai region the radius of earth is less as it lies close to the centre of the earth. Thus, the value of g is more in terai region.
How does the value of G change with altitude?
The gravitational acceleration decreases with altitude, as shown by the solid line in Figure 1 (left). g is equal to 9.5 m/s2 at 100 km altitude, which is 9% larger than 8.7 m/s2. In GITM, it is easy to force gravity to be a constant value.