What is meany by gravitational potential energy of a body? What is the zero level of potential energy?

Gravitational potential energy is the energy possessed by a body due to its position in a gravitational field. It is the amount of work done against the gravitational force in moving an object to a certain height above a reference point. This energy depends on the mass of the object, the height at which it is located, and the strength of the gravitational field acting upon it. For instance, when an object is taken to a greater height, it is endowed with gravitational potential energy that can easily be changed into kinetic energy should the object fall.

Gravitational potential energy also relates to setting up a “zero level” of potential energy. A zero level of potential energy is established arbitrarily; most often, at ground level or infinity. When the zero level is set to be at ground level, the gravitational potential energy of an object at that height is zero. The gravitational potential energy will increase as the object moves above this level. In the case where the zero level is set at infinity, the potential energy of an object will approach zero as it moves infinitely far away from any massive body. This zero level provides for uniform calculations of potential energy in different settings and makes the analysis of gravitational interactions easier.