Science Assessment ~ Topics ~ Energy: Forms, Transformation, Transfer, and Conservation ~ Misconception RGM074

The gravitational potential energy of a system of two objects decreases as the objects move farther apart and the gravitational potential energy increases as the objects move closer together.

Items that test for misconception RGM074 in this project (ASPECt) and key idea (Gravitational potential energy is a…)
Item ID Number	Item Description	How Often the Misconception was Chosen
RG044002	Decreasing the distance between two objects decreases the gravitational potential energy between them.	49%
RG133002	The gravitational potential energy of a system containing a planet and a moon would be greater after the distance between the moon and planet increases..	37%
RG042003	The gravitational potential energy of a system of two objects can be increased by pulling them farther apart.	28%