Work needs to be done against the force of gravity to move a mass away from the Earth. This results in an increase in its gravitational potential energy.
For small movements ofa mass in the earths gravitational field
PE=mgh
Definfing gravitational potential
The gravitational potential (V), at a point in a gravitational field is the potential energy per unit mass at that point.
PE=mV
It can also be defined as the work done per unit mass in taking a small mass to infifnity from that point.
V=-GM/r
Potential and field strength
If a 1kg mass is moved a small distance r, its potential will change by V. The change in potential equals the work done on 1kg, which is the force on 1kg times teh distance moved:
-V=gxr
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