A stationary body on the surface of the Earth | vedclass

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(B) The gravitational potential energy of a body of mass $m$ at a distance $r$ from the center of the Earth is given by $U = -\frac{GMm}{r}$.Since $G$

Vedclass · Accepted Answer

The body is bound to the Earth.

Vedclass · Answer

(B) The gravitational potential energy of a body of mass $m$ at a distance $r$ from the center of the Earth is given by $U = -\frac{GMm}{r}$.Since $G$,$M$,$m$,and $r$ are all positive,the potential energy $U$ is negative.$A$ negative value of potential energy indicates that the body is in a bound state within the Earth's gravitational field.To move the body to infinity (where potential energy is zero),we must provide an amount of energy equal to $|U|$ (i.e.,positive work must be done on the body).Therefore,negative energy signifies that the body is gravitationally bound to the Earth.

$A$ stationary body on the surface of the Earth has negative potential energy. What does this indicate?

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