Gravitational Potential Difference
The gravitational acceleration vector $\overrightarrow{g}$ is analogous the electric field vector $\overrightarrow{E}$. By utilizing the definition of potential and potential energy derive an expression for gravitational potential difference between two points. What is the potential energy of a 5 kg mass raised to a height of 5 meters? What is the gravitational potential of this point relative to the ground?
Gravitational acceleration is
$g=(G*M)/R^2$ derived from $F=m*g=(G m M)/R^2$
Gravitational field is
$Γ(R)=GM/R^2 =g$
Gravitational potential at distance R is
$V(R)=-\int \Gamma d R=(GM)/R+Constant=g R+constant$
“Gravitational voltage” between points $R_1=R_{earth} + 5m$ and $R_2=R_{earth}+0 m$ is:
$U(R_1 R_2 )=g(R_1-R_2 )=+5g$
Potential energy (for mass $m=5 kg$) is
$W=m*U(R_1 R_2 )=5mg=5*5*9.8=245 J$
Observation: In reality since the field lines are toward the mass M (inversely that for electric field for positive charges), the gravitational potential is negative. Thus the potential energy of a mass above the earth becomes negative.