Why does gravitational potential energy have a negative value?

The negative value stems from the definition of gravitiational potential energy which states that it is equal to the work done by the gravitational field moving a body to its given position from infinity. At an infinite distance away from any other mass, a body would have gravitational potential energy equal to zero. As the body moves closer to the mass, it loses gravitiational potential energy x. Hence, it has negative energy as shown:Energy at current = Energy at start - Energy lost = 0 - x = -x(Where x is the energy lost)

KP
Answered by Kush P. Physics tutor

4599 Views

See similar Physics A Level tutors

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

A cup of tea contains 175 g of water at a temperature of 85.0 °C. Milk at a temperature of 4.5 °C is added to the tea and the temperature of the mixture becomes 74.0 °C. What is the internal energy lost by the water? What is the mass of the milk?


What are the different classifications of sub-atomic particles?


A trolley of mass 0.75kg is running along a frictionless track at a constant speed of 0.7ms-1, as the trolley passes below a mass of 0.5kg the mass drops a short vertical distance onto the trolley. Calculate the new velocity of the trolley and mass.


How do you work out the direction and strength of the force on a current carrying wire in a magnetic field?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning