#$&*
course phy 231
Brief Gravitational Simulation elliptical orbitsUses gravitational simulation Motion in the Gravitational Field of the Earth, may use TIMER.
See also Pictures of Gravitational Simulation
Starting at distance 2 with initial angular position 0 and initial direction 1.57, determine the initial velocity necessary to achieve an elliptical orbit that just skims the planet's surface.
Observe the max and min velocities for these orbits. Give your results below:
****
Minimum velocity: 4600 Maximum Velocity: 8900
#$&*
Observe the forward impulse required at apogee (note: perigee is the point of closest approach, apogee is the point of furthest distance) to boost the elliptical orbit into a circular orbit. Give your result:
****
Initial: 5600
If you are stationary at the apogee then this will probably give you a circular orbit.
However if you are already in your elliptical orbit (as you would need to be to boost the elliptical orbit into a circular orbit), an impulse of 5600 will be way too much to achieve a circular orbit at that distance.
#$&*
Observe the backward impulse necessary at perigee to enter a circular orbit. Give your result:
****
1200
this looks about right
#$&*
Analysis
What is the KE of 1 kg at the perigee, and at the apogee of this orbit?
****
#$&*
What is the change in the gravitational PE of 1 kg, between perigee and apogee?
****
#$&*
What is the change in the KE of 1 kg from perigee to apogee?
****
#$&*
What is the total energy (PE + KE) of your elliptical orbit? You can calculate the PE at either perigee or apogee, and add the KE at that point.
****
#$&*
How much KE did your satellite gain, per kilogram, when you boosted it from the elliptical orbit to the circular orbit at apogee? What therefore was the total energy of that circular orbit?
****
#$&*
How much KE did your satellite lose, per kilogram, when you slowed it from an elliptical orbit at perigee to a circular orbit at that distance? What therefore was the total energy of that circular orbit?
****
#$&*
As best you can, explain how the various energies you calculated here are related, how they illustrate the work-energy theorem `dW_NC_ON = `dKE + `dPE.
****
#$&*
Your impulse at apogee doesn't look correct, so be sure to see that note and correct it before continuing with the analysis.
Then proceed with the analysis.
&#This looks good. Let me know if you have any questions. &#
#$&*