Thread: Does Gravity do any work?

Does gravity do any work. I have explored this question with many scientists. There appears to be a big difference of opinion about what work is and whether gravity does any work. Thanks for comments Joe L. Ogan

Please do not double post. Refer to your previous thread instead:
http://www.thescienceforum.com/Does-...ork-21815t.php

Thank you!
Dishmaster (Moderator)

Sorry, I did not realize that I had sent it before.

As gravity is a continuous pull, it is possible that we may be able to use this to generate energy near a black hole one day.

If we get close to a Black Hole, it will pull us in! Thanks for comments. Joe L. Ogan

Well, unmanned missions to the planets have used the gravity well of jupiter, for example, to accelerate objects further into the solar system. I'd say that gravity can do work.

Originally Posted by Cyberia

As gravity is a continuous pull, it is possible that we may be able to use this to generate energy near a black hole one day.

Got a sketch? How would it differ conceptually from using the sun, the moon, a golf ball...

I'm not doubting, I'm intrigued.

Gravity may very well be harvested for energy. Here on Earth, though I am baffled to seeing any possible ways we may use gravity.

Imagine a pinwheel. Now, since gravity pulls down, wouldn't the force pull one of the pins on the wheel down? Yes, and no. It could spin the wheel, make it revolution. But, gravity pulls down on all the sides of a pinwheel. Thus, the counter side is balancing out the pinwheel. Though, if one pin would be heavy enough, it could be pulled down hard enough to spin around, flinging the pin into a circle, generation energy. Though, the weight would ultimately stop, as it may not have the energy to continue.

In space, that is another story. As said already, the gravity of other objects in space may be subjected to fling out objects entering the gravity's field. This does show that deceleration in space is possible using gravity, but as energy itself, is not so much "energy".