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183_notes:grav_pe_graphs [2021/04/01 16:57] – [Graphing Kinetic Energy] stumptyl | 183_notes:grav_pe_graphs [2021/05/25 16:49] – [Graphing Kinetic Energy] stumptyl | ||
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==== Graphs of Gravitational Potential Energy ==== | ==== Graphs of Gravitational Potential Energy ==== | ||
- | [{{ 183_notes:grav_potential.png?400|A graph of the gravitational potential energy versus separation (solid red line); the zero of potential energy is marked with the solid black line.}}] | + | [{{ 183_notes:potentialgraph1_9.png?400|A graph of the gravitational potential energy versus separation (solid red line); the zero of potential energy is marked with the solid black line.}}] |
You can graph the gravitational potential energy (J) as a function of the radial separation, | You can graph the gravitational potential energy (J) as a function of the radial separation, | ||
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For the figure on the right, the total energy is positive and hence, even at infinite distance, the less massive object has non-zero kinetic energy. This is an **unbound system** because the less massive object can move infinitely far away from the more massive object. | For the figure on the right, the total energy is positive and hence, even at infinite distance, the less massive object has non-zero kinetic energy. This is an **unbound system** because the less massive object can move infinitely far away from the more massive object. | ||
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===== How is $\Delta U = mgh$ an approximation? | ===== How is $\Delta U = mgh$ an approximation? | ||
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==== Graphing Kinetic Energy ==== | ==== Graphing Kinetic Energy ==== | ||
- | [{{ 183_notes:grav_potential_kinetic.png?450|A graph of the potential, kinetic, and total energy of a gravitationally bound system. The kinetic energy is only for the less massive object in the system. The assumption is that it is much less massive than the larger object.}}] | + | [{{ 183_notes:potentialgraph5_9.png?450|A graph of the potential, kinetic, and total energy of a gravitationally bound system. The kinetic energy is only for the less massive object in the system. The assumption is that it is much less massive than the larger object.}}] |
It is often the the kinetic energy of the less massive object which is graphed along side the potential energy of the system and the total energy. For **a bound system**, this graph looks like the one to the right (green line is the kinetic energy). | It is often the the kinetic energy of the less massive object which is graphed along side the potential energy of the system and the total energy. For **a bound system**, this graph looks like the one to the right (green line is the kinetic energy). |