Question

when an object is at a height h from the surface is potential energy is GMm/R+h​

Answer 1

Answer:

The magnitude of the gravitational force is given by:

Fg = -

G m M

r2

We use the connection between force and potential energy to determine the gravitational potential energy:

F = -

dU

dr

→ U = - ∫ F dr

This gives: U = -

G m M

r

if we define the potential energy to be zero at r = ∞.

Important: the potential energy is negative!