Question

The formula for the change in potential energy when an object moves from distance r_i to r_f is:

Options

• ΔU = GMm (\[\frac {1}{r_f}\] - \[\frac {1}{r_i}\])

• ΔU = GMm (\[\frac {1}{r_i}\] - \[\frac {1}{r_f}\])

• ΔU = GMm (r_i - r_f)

• ΔU = GMm (r_f + r_i)

Answer 1

ΔU = GMm (\[\frac {1}{r_i}\] - \[\frac {1}{r_f}\])

Explanation:

This formula is derived by integrating the gravitational force with respect to the distance between the initial (r_i) and final (r_f) points.