All Flashcards
Compare circular and elliptical orbits in terms of energy.
Circular: Constant kinetic and potential energy, constant total mechanical energy. Elliptical: Fluctuating kinetic and potential energy, constant total mechanical energy.
Compare the speed of a satellite in circular vs. elliptical orbits.
Circular: Constant speed. Elliptical: Speed varies; highest at periapsis, lowest at apoapsis.
Define gravitational potential energy.
The energy an object possesses due to its position in a gravitational field; it's negative, with zero defined at infinity.
What is escape velocity?
The minimum speed an object needs to escape the gravitational pull of a central object.
Define total mechanical energy in the context of orbits.
The sum of kinetic and gravitational potential energy of a satellite in orbit.
What is periapsis?
The point in an orbit closest to the central object.
What is apoapsis?
The point in an orbit farthest from the central object.
What is the effect of increasing the distance from the central object on gravitational potential energy?
Gravitational potential energy increases (becomes less negative).
What happens to a satellite's kinetic energy as it moves from apoapsis to periapsis in an elliptical orbit?
Kinetic energy increases.
What is the effect of achieving escape velocity?
The object escapes the gravitational pull of the central object and moves away indefinitely.