The gravitational potential energy of two point masses m₁ and m₂ separ…

Question

The gravitational potential energy of two point masses m₁ and m₂ separated by distance r is (taking U = 0 at infinity)

Accepted Answer

D. {'text': '−G m₁ m₂ / r', 'label': 'D'}

1. Reference: U = 0 when the masses are infinitely far apart.
2. Since gravity is attractive, work is done BY the field when two masses come together.
3. So U(r) = −G m₁ m₂ / r (negative and finite as r decreases).
4. As r → 0, U → −∞; as r → ∞, U → 0.
_Source: NCERT Class 11 Physics, Ch 7 "Gravitation", §7.7_

Answer

{'text': '+G m₁ m₂ / r', 'label': 'A'}

Answer

{'text': '+G m₁ m₂ × r', 'label': 'B'}

Answer

{'text': '−G m₁ m₂ / r²', 'label': 'C'}