Question

Gravitational Potential is?

Answer 1

Step 1: Definition of Gravitational Potential.

Gravitational potential at a point is defined as the work done required per unit of mass to move a body from a reference point to the given point.

$V=-\frac{GM}{r}$

Here $V$ is the Gravitational potential due to gravity, $M$ is the mass of the source and $r$ is the distance between the source and unit mass.

Step 2: Properties of Gravitational potential.

1. The work done per unit mass by some externally applied force to convey a large item to that location from some predetermined position of zero potential, usually, infinity, is the gravitational potential at a location in a gravitational field.
2. If the field is caused by an isolated massive point object (or any object of limited size), the potential is usually defined as zero at an infinite distance from the object; it is negative everywhere else since the gravitational force is always attractive.
3. Gravitational Potential ($Jk{g}^{-1}$) is a scalar quantity with a negative value.

Thus, the gravitational potential is the work done per unit mass by some externally applied force to bring a mass from zero potential to infinity.