$U_g$

Definition

$U_g$ represents the gravitational potential energy of an object due to its position in a gravitational field. It is a measure of the work done by the gravitational force in moving an object from an infinite distance to its current position within the field.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. $U_g$ is directly proportional to the mass of the object and its distance from the source of the gravitational field.
2. The gravitational potential energy of an object can be converted to other forms of energy, such as kinetic energy, through the application of work.
3. The change in $U_g$ of an object is equal to the work done by the gravitational force in moving the object between two positions.
4. In a closed system, the total energy of an object, which includes its kinetic energy and gravitational potential energy, remains constant unless external work is done on the system.
5. The gravitational potential energy of an object is always negative, as the object is attracted towards the source of the gravitational field.

Review Questions

• Explain the relationship between $U_g$ and the mass and position of an object in a gravitational field.
  • The gravitational potential energy, $U_g$, of an object is directly proportional to its mass and its distance from the source of the gravitational field. Specifically, $U_g = -G\frac{Mm}{r}$, where $G$ is the gravitational constant, $M$ is the mass of the object generating the gravitational field, $m$ is the mass of the object whose potential energy is being calculated, and $r$ is the distance between the two objects. As the mass of the object or its distance from the source of the gravitational field increases, the gravitational potential energy of the object also increases.
• Describe how changes in $U_g$ are related to the work done by the gravitational force.
  • The change in gravitational potential energy, $ extbackslashDelta U_g$, of an object is equal to the work done by the gravitational force in moving the object between two positions. This relationship is expressed mathematically as $ extbackslashDelta U_g = -W_g$, where $W_g$ is the work done by the gravitational force. The negative sign indicates that the work done by the gravitational force decreases the object's potential energy as it moves closer to the source of the gravitational field. Conversely, the work done by an external force to move the object against the gravitational force increases the object's potential energy.
• Explain the role of $U_g$ in the concept of total energy and the conservation of energy.
  • In a closed system, the total energy of an object, which includes its kinetic energy and gravitational potential energy, remains constant unless external work is done on the system. The total energy is the sum of the object's kinetic energy and gravitational potential energy, expressed as $E_{total} = K + U_g$. As an object moves within the gravitational field, its kinetic energy and gravitational potential energy can change, but the total energy remains constant. This is a fundamental principle of the conservation of energy, which states that energy can be transformed from one form to another, but it cannot be created or destroyed.

Related terms

Gravitational Potential Energy: The potential energy an object possesses due to its position in a gravitational field, which is determined by the object's mass and its height or distance from the source of the gravitational field.

Total Energy: The sum of an object's kinetic energy and potential energy, which remains constant in a closed system unless external work is done on the object.

Gravitational Force: The attractive force between two objects with mass, which acts to pull the objects towards each other and is responsible for the existence of gravitational potential energy.