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5.8: The Gravitational Potentials Near Various Bodies

Last updated

Dec 30, 2020
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- 5.7: Potential
- 5.8.1: Potential Near a Point Mass

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Because potential is a scalar rather than a vector, potentials are usually easier to calculate than field strengths. Indeed, in order to calculate the gravitational field, it is sometimes easier first to calculate the potential and then to calculate the gradient of the potential.

Topic hierarchy

5.8.1: Potential Near a Point Mass
We shall define the potential to be zero at infinity. If we are in the vicinity of a point mass, we shall always have to do work in moving a test particle away from the mass. We shan’t reach zero potential until we are an infinite distance away. It follows that the potential at any finite distance from a point mass is negative. The potential at a point is the work required to move unit mass from infinity to the point; i.e., it is negative.
5.8.2: Potential on the Axis of a Ring
5.8.3: Plane Discs
5.8.4: Infinite Plane Lamina
5.8.5: Hollow Hemisphere
5.8.6: Rods
5.8.7: Solid Cylinder
5.8.8: Hollow Spherical Shell
5.8.9: Solid Sphere

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