Question

Namaskaram Brainliacs!

Most of you are probably introduced with what is called 'Potential Energy'. You have also solved many numerical based on this topic.

Question; We know mathematically that potential energy is denoted by 'm×g×h'. Now, when a body is taken to some height above the Earth's surface. Here, the force is exerted again the gravitational force of the earth. It means, the acceleration due to gravity will be ( - 9.8 m/s^2. ) But, putting this value in any numerical, the potential energy results positive. How? and why?

Broad explanation with example. Don't attempt for spamming. ​

Answer 1

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• Gravitational potential energy is negative because we are trying to do opposite work of gravity that is why g is negative.
• Potential energy is not negative always because the sign changes because of conservation of energy.

Answer 2

or

The higher up an object is the greater its gravitational potential energy. The larger the distance something falls through the greater the amount of GPE the object loses as it falls. ... This is because a tree has more mass, so it needs to be given more gravitational potential energy to reach the same height.