Exam-style question
Try this first
Which of the following statements correctly describes gravitational potential?.
- A.It is always positive and increases with distance from the mass creating the field.
- B.It can be negative and is defined as the work done per unit mass to move an object from infinity.
- C.It is the same as gravitational field strength.
- D.It is independent of the mass of the object being moved.
Model answer
What a good answer should say
- It can be negative and is defined as the work done per unit mass to move an object from infinity.
Explanation
Why this works
Gravitational potential can indeed be negative, particularly when referring to points closer to a mass than infinity. It is defined as the work done per unit mass to move an object from infinity to that point, which is crucial for understanding gravitational fields.
Common mistake
No common mistake is linked to this question yet.