<P> The negative sign follows the convention that work is gained from a loss of potential energy . </P> <P> Gravitational force between two bodies in space is obtained from the force exerted by a mass M on another mass m is given by </P> <Dl> <Dd> F = − G M m r 3 r, (\ displaystyle \ mathbf (F) = - (\ frac (GMm) (r ^ (3))) \ mathbf (r),) </Dd> </Dl> <Dd> F = − G M m r 3 r, (\ displaystyle \ mathbf (F) = - (\ frac (GMm) (r ^ (3))) \ mathbf (r),) </Dd>

Where do you measure the height of potential energy