The force of gravitation is

The force of gravitation is a conservative force: that is, the work it does on an object depends only on the object’s initial and final positions, not on the path taken. This property underlies understanding gravitational interactions and energy conservation in physics.
The work done by the gravitational force during an object’s movement due to gravity is stored as gravitational potential energy. For instance, when an object is lifted vertically, work is done against gravity, and this energy is stored as potential energy. If the object is allowed to fall back, this potential energy converts back into kinetic energy. In the whole process, the total mechanical energy of the system, that is, kinetic + potential, remains conserved, provided no other non-conservative forces, like friction, are present.

This path independence is a defining characteristic of conservative forces. Non-conservative forces, such as friction, dissipate energy as heat, and the work done is dependent on the route taken. The conservative nature of gravity allows for efficient calculations in physics because the principles of energy conservation can be applied universally in gravitational systems, from simple objects on Earth to celestial bodies in orbit. Hence, gravitational force remains an integral part of mechanics. Energy balance is maintained through both terrestrial and astronomical contexts.