gravitational field and P.E

• Gravitational field is a region where a mass experiences a force due to an attractive force or gravitational attraction.
• The gravitational attraction between two masses can be imagined either as an (a) action-at-a distance force or a (b) field force
• When imagined as an action-at-a distance force, the objects act directly on each other instantly and without direct contact.
• Action-at-a distance forces exert a push or pull (interact) without physical contact.
• When imagined as a field force, the presence of a mass somehow changes the space surrounding it and when another mass occupies the space nearby, an attraction occurs.
• Gravity – when you jump off the ground, there is still a gravitational pull between you and the earth.
• Gravitational field strength is a vector quantity that measures the intensity of a gravitational field created by a mass. It's defined as the gravitational force in newtons that acts on a mass of one kilogram.
• Gravitational potential energy is the energy an object possesses because of its position in a gravitational field.
• The most common use of gravitational potential energy is for an object near the surface of the Earth where the gravitational acceleration can be assumed to be constant at about 9.8 m/s2.
• Formula Gravitational Potential Energy (P.E.) = mgh Or Ug = mgh where; Ug = gravitational potential energy m = mass in kilogram (kg) g = gravitational pull (9.8 m/s2) h = height of an object in meters (m) Unit of Ug = Joules or J J = kg*m2/s2