Question

What three factors does the gravitational potential energy of a body depend on?

Answer 1

Hint:In order to solve this question, we are going to first define the gravitational potential energy, then it is represented mathematically. After that the factors on which the gravitational potential energy depends are listed and explained one by one explaining the direct relations with them.

Formula used: The gravitational potential energy is given by:
\[U = mgh\]
Where\[m\]is the mass of an object,\[g\]is the acceleration due to gravity and\[h\]is the height of the object from the ground.

Complete step-by-step solution:
The energy of a body by virtue of its position with respect to gravity is called the gravitational potential energy.
The gravitational potential energy is given by:
\[U = mgh\]
Where\[m\]is the mass of an object,\[g\]is the acceleration due to gravity and\[h\]is the height of the object from the ground.
Thus, the gravitational potential energy depends on three factors:
Strength of gravitational field: The strength of gravitational field determines the value of acceleration due to gravity, denoted by\[g\]. The value of \[g\]changes with different geographical positions at very large altitudes and that is comparable to the radius of the earth.
Mass of the object: The gravitational potential energy is directly proportional to the mass of the object, i.e. more the mass of the object, more is the gravitational potential energy.
Height from the ground: The gravitational potential energy also depends on the height of the object from the ground level. It is directly proportional to the altitude of the object from the ground.

Note:It is important to note that if an object falls from one point to another point inside a gravitational field, the force of gravity will do positive work on the object, and the gravitational potential energy will decrease by the same amount. This means that the work is converted to energy.