# Physics - Gravitational Potential

> Source: https://ollybritton.com/notes/a-level/physics/topics/gravitational-potential/ · Updated: 2021-12-08 · Tags: school, physics, year-2

## Flashcards
### 2021-12-08
##### What is gravitational potential??
The energy transferred per unit mass to move an object from infinity to a point.

##### What is the gravitational potential at infinity??
$$
0\text{J}\text{kg}^{-1}
$$

##### Why is gravitational potential always negative??
Because you're having to do the opposite of what gravity wants you to do.

##### What is gravitational potential energy??
The energy transferred to move an object from infinity to a point.

##### What does the graph of $V$ against $r$ look like for gravitational potential??
A negative hyperbola.

##### What is the formula for gravitational potential $V$??
$$
-\frac{GM}{r}
$$

##### What is the formula for gravitational potential energy $E$??
$$
-\frac{GMm}{r}
$$

##### What is the gravitational potential when $r = 0$??
$$
-\infty
$$

##### How many asymptotes will the graph of gravitational potential $V$ against radius $r$ have for an object between the earth and the moon??
$$
2
$$

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