i was just watching about electric potential energy and potential again..
ELECTRIC POTENTIAL ENERGY dependent on the charge experiencing the electric field
ELECTRIC POTENTIAL only dependent on the position of the object
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_e6M5_FVn04
v = u/q
that is, electric potential is electric potential energy per charge or
1 volt = 1 joule/coulomb
also
u = kQq/r
that is, electric potential energy is coulomb's constant times charges over distance between them
when you insert second formula into first and cancel the two qs, it follows
v = kQ/r
so we see potential is proportional to amount of charge and inversely proportional to distance between charges
later in the video he shows practical example how potential falls farther from the charge
all sweet, basics
but now consider the gravitational equivalent
gravitational potential also falls as we get farther from earth
BUT
object above that are farther away (to certain distance) have HIGHER potential energy
Work = force * distance moved
that is
Mass * Gravity * Height
do you see the apparent contradiction.
i think it is due to a fact potential energy of objects on the ground doesn't matter since they can't move anyway and can't do work, while those suspended above ground have potential to fall and do work.