Question Detail
Question
The gravitational potential energy U of an object of mass m at a distance r from the center of the Earth (where r ≥ R_E) is given by:
Correct Answer
Option B is the correct answer.
Detailed Explanation
defines U = -G M_E m / r for objects high above the Earth's surface. This formula uses infinity as the zero reference point, making potential energy negative for all finite distances.
Hint
Potential energy is negative because work must be done against the field to move the object to infinity.