Gravitational potential and potential energy

Universal gravitation · Physics

Solar system

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Study notes

Let's calculate the Potential Energy (U) of a 2 kg school bag at a distance (r) of 6,400,000 meters from the center of Earth. Step 1: Write the formula: U = - (G * M * m) / r. Step 2: Use Earth's mass (M) = 6 x 10^24 kg. Step 3: Put in the numbers: U = - (6.67 x 10^-11 * 6 x 10^24 * 2) / 6,400,000. Step 4: Multiply the top numbers: 6.67 * 6 * 2 = 80.04. Then adjust powers: 10^-11 * 10^24 = 10^13. So, 80.04 x 10^13. Step 5: Divide by r: (80.04 x 10^13) / (6.4 x 10^6). Step 6: The final answer is approx -12.5 x 10^7 Joules.