(a) Define gravitational potential at a point in a gravitational field. (b) A student…
PHYSICS · Subjective · A Level · Physics · Fields and their consequences · Fields and their consequences
Problem
(a) Define gravitational potential at a point in a gravitational field.
(b) A student claims that the gravitational potential due to an isolated point mass becomes positive when the distance from the mass is very large. Explain why this statement is incorrect and state the correct behaviour of the potential with distance.
(c) Draw a qualitative graph of gravitational potential V versus distance r from an isolated point mass and explain any two salient features of the curve you have drawn.