Gravitational Potential Energy (General)
U = -(G·M·m) / r
What it says
The gravitational potential energy of a mass m at distance r from a mass M, referenced to zero at infinite separation.
Symbols
| Symbol | Quantity | Dimension |
|---|---|---|
U | Gravitational potential energy (J) | M L^2 T^-2 |
M | Central mass (kg) | M |
m | Orbiting mass (kg) | M |
r | Separation distance (m) | L |
G | Gravitational constant (6.67430e-11 N·m^2/kg^2) | M^-1 L^3 T^-2 |
Work it out
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Connects to
Filed under Mechanics · derive through it in the explorer