Gravitational Potential Energy of Two Bodies – Rankers Physics
Topic: Gravitation
Subtopic: Gravitational Potential Energy

Gravitational Potential Energy of Two Bodies

Two bodies each of mass \( 1\text{ kg}\) are placed \( 2\text{ m}\) apart. Gravitational potential energy of the system is (Assume potential energy to be zero at infinity)
\( \frac{G}{2} \)
\( -G \)
\( \frac{-G}{2} \)
\( \frac{3G}{2} \)

Solution:

The gravitational potential energy of a two-body system is given by \( U = -\frac{G m_1 m_2}{r} \). Substituting \( m_1 = m_2 = 1\text{ kg} \) and \( r = 2\text{ m} \), we get \( U = -\frac{G}{2} \).

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