Q.Define gravitational potential.

Gravitational potential is the work done per unit mass in bringing a test mass from infinity to a point in a gravitational field, given for a point mass M by V = -GM/r.

Every mass creates a gravitational field around it, and every point in that field can be assigned a gravitational potential energy per unit mass, called the gravitational potential.

Definition: The gravitational potential V at a point in a gravitational field is the amount of work done in bringing a unit mass (1 kg) from infinity to that point, without giving it any kinetic energy (i.e., moved slowly/quasi-statically against the field).

Mathematically, if W is the work done in bringing a mass m from infinity to a point, then

V = W/m

For a point mass M (or a spherically symmetric mass, treated as concentrated at its centre), the gravitational potential at a distance r from it is

V = -GM/r

…