Question

What is the main condition for using the simplified formula ΔU = mgh?

Options

• h must be equal to R

• h must be much smaller than R (h << R)

• h must be greater than R

• h must be comparable to Earth's radius

Answer 1

h must be much smaller than R (h << R)

Explanation:

The approximation ΔU = mgh is valid only when height h is much smaller than Earth's radius R.