Mechanics
Gravitational Potential Energy (General)
General gravitational potential energy (negative).
Variables
UJ
Potential energy
Gravitational PE
GN·m²/kg²
Gravitational constant
6.674×10⁻¹¹
m₁kg
Mass 1
First mass
m₂kg
Mass 2
Second mass
rm
Distance
Separation
Derivation
U = -∫F dr = -Gm₁m₂/r (zero at infinity).
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Common questions
What is the Gravitational Potential Energy (General) formula?
Gravitational Potential Energy (General) is written U = -Gm₁ m₂/r. General gravitational potential energy (negative). It belongs to Mechanics, under Gravitation.
What are the units in U = -Gm₁ m₂/r?
In SI units, U is potential energy, measured in kg·m²/s²; G is gravitational constant, measured in m³/(kg·s²); m₁ is mass 1, measured in kg; m₂ is mass 2, measured in kg; r is distance, measured in m.
How is the Gravitational Potential Energy (General) formula derived?
U = -∫F dr = -Gm₁m₂/r (zero at infinity). The result is U = -Gm₁ m₂/r.