Given that the gravitational potential energy near the surface of the earth is given by U_g=mgh, find the gravitational force.

Question

Given that the gravitational potential energy near the surface of the earth is given by U_g=mgh, find the gravitational force.

I solved this question by taking the formula for gravitational potential energy and solving for g. I want to make sure if that is the correct way.

Answer 1

I'm unsure exactly what the question is trying to get at (solving for force in terms of potential energy or what) but:

"g" is the ACCELERATION due to gravity, not the force. Newton's 2nd law says F=ma so the gravitational force is "mg" or, U_g/h