the formula of newton law of gravitation is GMm/r^2or -GMm/r^2 why got book put in the negative sign while some no?
newton's law of gravitation
newton's law of gravitation
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Aug 10 2013, 01:55 AM, updated 13y ago
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the formula of newton law of gravitation is GMm/r^2or -GMm/r^2 why got book put in the negative sign while some no?
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Aug 10 2013, 08:31 AM
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#2
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299 posts Joined: Apr 2011 |
The negative sign is to account for the direction of the gravity as a vector quantity where the vector field lines are pointing towards the center.
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Aug 11 2013, 02:02 AM
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Aug 11 2013, 08:56 AM
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#4
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QUOTE(GreatFish @ Aug 11 2013, 02:02 AM) The most correct form for gravitational "force" would have a negative sign because gravity is technically a vector quantity.Gravitational potential "energy" is a scalar quantity. Therefore the sign does not really matter. However, it doesn't hurt to ask which sign is usually preferred if you are concerned about this for answering exam questions. |
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Aug 11 2013, 11:25 AM
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QUOTE(maru&box @ Aug 11 2013, 08:56 AM) The most correct form for gravitational "force" would have a negative sign because gravity is technically a vector quantity. so which sign is usually preferred in the examination? Gravitational potential "energy" is a scalar quantity. Therefore the sign does not really matter. However, it doesn't hurt to ask which sign is usually preferred if you are concerned about this for answering exam questions. |
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Aug 11 2013, 01:09 PM
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to avoid marked deducted, better with negative sign
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Aug 12 2013, 10:34 PM
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#7
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1. For the GMm/r^2, with or without negative sign doesn't matter. This formula tells you about the magnitude of the force that exist between 2 point masses only. To account for the direction of the force, sign convention is employed such as force to the right is postive"+". But in your examination, GMm/r^2 without negative sign is preferred because usually the question requires only the magnitude of the force between them.
2. Gravitational potential ALWAYS has a negative "-" sign in the formula. The negative sign is from the derivation. 3. Gravitational potential ENERGY is a scalar quantity. Thus the sign doesn't really matter as said by @maru&box. |
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