A body of mass m is placed on earth surface which is taken from earth surface to a height of h = 3 R. Then change in gravitational
Earth’s surface is the outermost layer, consisting of land, water, and atmosphere, supporting diverse ecosystems and human activities.
Class 11 Physics
Gravitation
CBSE Exam 2024-25
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When a body of mass m is moved from the surface of the Earth to a height equal to three times the Earth’s radius h = 3R, there is a change in its gravitational potential energy. Gravitational potential energy depends on the position of the body relative to the center of the Earth and decreases as the distance from the center increases.
At the surface of the Earth, the body’s potential energy is determined by the distance R from the center. When the body is taken to a height of h = 3R, the total distance from the Earth’s center becomes 4R. The gravitational potential energy at these two points differs because potential energy is inversely proportional to the distance from the center of the Earth.
The change in gravitational potential energy is calculated as the difference between the potential energy at the surface and at the height h = 3R. After simplifying the relationship, it is found that the change in potential energy is mgR/4.
This result reflects how gravitational potential energy decreases with increasing distance from the center of the Earth. It also demonstrates the significance of height and mass in calculating energy changes during such movements, essential in space travel and satellite deployment.