Work done by gravitational field

Question

To calculate the work done by a gravitational field, the equation is written as

$$W=GMm(r_\text{initial}^{-2} - r_\text{final}^{-2})$$

Suppose a small mass has distance $R$ from a big mass. So here a gravitational force exists between the 2 masses. If we displace the small mass a very short distance $\mathrm{d}r$, it will need an opposite equal force against the gravitational force. Considering this fact, my question is, if these two forces are equal how we will displace the thing?

You made a mistake on the gravitational potential: it is $\propto r^{-1}$ and not $r^{-2}$. — Frédéric Grosshans, Jun 10 '11 at 16:57
Basically, your question is a duplicate of http://physics.stackexchange.com/q/2095/373 . See the answer there. — Frédéric Grosshans, Jun 10 '11 at 17:00
If the gravitational force and external force is equal,then small mass should not move.but to written that equation this two force is considered equal........... — Nadim Shahriar Russel, Jun 10 '11 at 17:41

score 1 · Answer 1 · answered Jun 10 '11 at 18:14

okay the topic says about work done by the gravitational force and i assume that by "displace the small mass a very short distance dr, it will need an opposite equal force against the gravitational force" , the writer meant an equal external force acting on small mass which made dr displacement.

Yes if a equal external force as gravitational force act on a body it wont move as the total force on that body would be zero .

To compute work done by gravitational force the key idea is that we have to consider only the gravitational force . There may be other force acting on the body but those wont be counted for calculating the work by gravitational force.

For example , lets consider a boy is lifting a book of mass m. now , he is lifting it with F' force and F is the gravitational force . Surely, F'>F or he wont be able to lift the book. If he made a displacement dr then work done by him is W'=F'.dr But the work done by the gravitational force is W"=F.dr=-mgdr

total work done on the book will be W=W"+W'=F'.dr-mgdr

So it can be seen that if we want to calculate the work done by gravitational field we can do this even if an external force is acting on the body.the external force must be grater or less than gravitational force or else no displacement will occur and hence there wont be any work done by any force.

Thanks for your Answer.....considering this fact please re drive that equation that work done by gravitational field.............. — Nadim Shahriar Russel, Jun 11 '11 at 07:18

score 0 · Answer 2 · answered Jul 09 '13 at 04:27

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Suppose a body of mass m is moved with constant speed in gravitational field from point a to b through three different ways ALONG PATH 1: Work=work(a to d) +work(d to b)

answered Jul 09 '13 at 04:27

ammad khan

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Your answer seems unfinished... you talk of three paths and then go on to elaborate on one of them only. – Neuneck Jul 09 '13 at 05:40

Work done by gravitational field

2 Answers2