Gravity Is Negative

Gravity, by its very nature, is an attractive force—it pulls objects toward one another. In physics, this is represented mathematically by a negative sign in Newton’s law of universal gravitation:

\[ \vec{F} = -\frac{G M m}{r^2} \hat{r} \]

The negative sign indicates direction: the force points inward, toward the other mass. But this directionality has deeper implications. When we calculate the gravitational potential energy, we find it is also negative:

\[ U = -\frac{G M m}{r} \]

This is not an arbitrary convention. It reflects a real physical truth: it requires positive energy input to lift an object away from a gravitational field. Gravitational systems are bound, meaning they contain less total energy than if the objects were infinitely far apart. That “missing” energy is accounted for by negative gravitational potential energy.

From this, we see that gravity itself can be understood as negative energy. In my interpretation, gravity does not simply hold matter together—it removes energy from the rest of the universe, binding it into deeper potential wells. This ongoing absorption of usable energy confirms that gravity contributes a negative energy balance to the cosmos.

Thus, from force to potential energy to cosmic accounting, the negative nature of gravity is not just a sign convention— it is a fundamental feature of our universe.