Around a point mass the field points inward and weakens as one over r squared, while the potential is the work per unit mass to bring a test mass from infinity, so it is always negative. Move the test mass and watch the field arrow shrink and the potential climb toward zero.
MissionPredict what happens to the gravitational potential as the test mass moves further out.Streak 0Best 0
As the test mass moves further from the planet, the potential ϕ = −GM / r:
distance r12 × 10⁶ m
field strength g = GM / r²2.8 N kg⁻¹
potential ϕ = −GM / r−33 MJ kg⁻¹
The field strength is the gradient of the potential. Both weaken with distance, but g falls as 1/r² while ϕ rises as −1/r toward zero far away.