Question

A body enters the gravitational field of Earth ,what will be the effect on potential energy of Earth body system :will it increase ,decrease or remain constant​

Answer 1

Answer: decrease

Explanation: because the potential energy is minimum at the surface of earth and it increases as we move down to the earth and it also increases as we move upward to infinity.

Answer 2

Answer:

There will be a decrease in the potential energy.

Explanation:

• The potential energy which associates with the gravitational force of the earth is called gravitational energy.
• An example is elevating an object against the earth's gravity
• The potential energy is neutral on the earth's surface but when we go deep inside the earth towards the center the potential energy increases and when we move away from the center the potential energy decreases.
• So, when the body enters the gravitational field of the earth from infinity and stabilizes at the height h above the surface, then the potential energy is,

                                      P.E = Δv × m

                          ∴         $PE=\frac{GMm}{r+h}$

• And the potential energy of the same body on the surface is,

                                     $PE=\frac{GMm}{r}$

Since the body entering the gravitational field of the earth stays at a height h, the P.E will decrease as it is away from the earth's center.