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COMEDK · Physics · 9. Gravitation

What is the gravitational potential energy experienced by a body at an infinite distance from the earth, due to earth's gravity?

  1. A zero
  2. B infinity
  3. C It is same as that on the surface of the earth.
  4. D It is half that on the surface of the earth
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Answer & Solution

Correct Answer

(A) zero

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Detailed explanation

The gravitational potential energy \(U\) of a body of mass \(m\) at a distance \(r\) from the center of the Earth of mass \(M\) is given by the formula \(U = -\dfrac{GMm}{r}\). At an infinite distance from the Earth, the distance \(r\) approaches infinity, i.e.,…
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