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What two factors influence the gravitational potential energy of an object?
Wiki User
∙ 9y ago
First of all, a clarification on the wording of the question: Gravitational potential energy is the energy associated with the gravitational interaction between objects with mass. Obviously if you just have a single isolated mass, it would not be under the influence of any gravitational fields and therefore there would be no gravitational potential energy. Gravitational potential energy is property that describes a whole system of masses (it could be two masses or three or four or...). When we talk about the gravitational potential energy of an object on Earth, it is implicit that we mean the gravitational potential energy associated with the system of two masses (one being the object in question, and the other being Earth).
For simplicity, let's assume that we have two masses labelled m1 and m2. The gravitational potential energy (which I'll label U) is given by the relation:
U = (Gm1m2)/r2
where r is the distance between the centre of each mass, and G is the universal gravitational constant. You can derive this equation very simply from Newton's Universal Law of Gravitation (which you may be familiar with) and the definition of potential energy. So, what does the potential energy of this system of masses depend upon? Everything that is a variable in the equation! Namely, the mass of each object and their separation. In our everyday example of an object that is some height habove the surface of the Earth, the mass of the Earth doesn't change, and neither does its radius (distance between centre and surface). Therefore, in that particular instance, the potential energy depends only upon two things 1. the height of the object above the surface, and 2. the mass of the object.
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
Wiki User
∙ 9y agoThe two factors that influence the gravitational potential energy of an object include its weight and height. The joule is the SI unit used for measuring work and energy.
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoI believe that there is only one factor: mass. A really massive object like our sun, has a huge gravitational force compared to Earth. I'm not sure if any other variable will change this.
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoMass and force
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Is gravitational energy renewable?
It is renewable because you can always raise an object or raise yourself and gain gravitational potential energy. You cannot run out of gravitational potential energy and even now you have some of the the energy because gravity is always pulling you. It is just a matter of how much gravitational potential energy you have. Go on the top Mt. Everest and you will have more gravitational potential energy than most of the people in the world.
As a star begins to form the initial energy source is form?
gravitational potential energy
What is the gravitational potential energy of a contracting interstellar cloud?
Gradually transforms into other types of energy.
What type of energy is stored up?
ATP
Why does the moon have gravitational energy?
The moon has mass.
What two factors influence gravitational potential energy the greatest?
Mass and position.
What effects gravitational potential energy?
PE=mgh So the 2 factors that effect gravitational potential energy are: -Mass of the object. -The height of the object.
What two factors determine potential gravitational energy?
Weight and height
What 2 factors determine gravitational potential energy?
Mass and distance
The energy of position such as a rock on a hill is what energy?
Gravitational energy Potential energy
Is gravitational energy kinetic?
Gravitational energy is the potential energyassociated with the gravitational field.
What two factors determine the potential energy of an elevated object?
Potential energy can be descirbed in many forms: gravitational potential, electrical potential and so forth. For gravitational potential energy, the formula is E=mgh, where E is the gravitational potential energy, m is the mass of the object , g is the strength of the prevailent gravitational field and h is the height above that field. In this instance, the factors determing the potential energy are threefold; the mass, the gravitational field strength and the height. For electrical potential, the factors vary depending on what electrical field, componant or senario you are dealing with. In essence, an object has electrical potential energy when it has become charged (such as an Ion), or it is feeling the effects of conflicting magnetic feilds and motion (as in electro-magnetic induction).
Why is potential energy called gravitational potential energy?
Potential energy and gravitational potential energy are different from each other ."Potential energy is the ability of a body to do work." Anddue_to_its_height.%22">"Gravitational potential energy is the ability of a body to do work due to its height."Gravitational potential energy is a type of potential energy.
What does potential energy plus gravitational energy equals?
Gravitational-potential energy.
What factors affect the amount of gravitational potential energy?
Mass, gravity, height.
Is gravitational energy the same as gravitational potential energy?
It is a type of potential energy, but there are other types of potential energy, too.
How does an object get gravitational potential energy?
An object gets gravitational potential energy by
