4.0 Gravitational potential

4.1 Gravitational potential due to a point mass
4.2 Gravitational potential due to a uniform solid sphere
4.3 Gravitational potential due to a uniform thin spherical shell
4.4 Gravitational potential due to a uniform ring at a point on its centre
4.5 Relation between gravitational field and gravitational potential

The gravitational potential at a point in the gravitational field of a body is defined as the amount of work done in bringing a unit mass from infinity to that point.

It is represented as $V$.

Mathematically it is given by, $$V = \frac{W}{m}$$

Gravitational potential is a scalar quantity. Its dimensional formula is $\left[ {{M^0}{L^2}{T^{ - 2}}} \right]$.

Unit of gravitational potential in $SI$ system is $J/kg$ and in $CGS$ system it is $erg/g$.