In today's problem, we will use Python to simulate the motion of a satellite in orbit. The code should be flexible enough to accommodate other orbits: elliptical, and even unbound orbits.
We will us gravitational potential energy in the energy graph we construct. In order to do this, what must we include in our system?
Forces are vectors and as such, can be represented in terms of components. One way to do this with the net force is to break the net force up into its parallel ($\vec{F}_{net,\parallel}$) and perpendicular ($\vec{F}_{net,\perp}$) components. What vector are these parallel and perpendicular to? Also, what effect do each of these components of the net force have on that vector?
Project 8: Learning goals
For multi-particle systems where little or no heat is exchanged with the surroundings, use conservation of energy (ΔEsys=Wext) to explain and/or predict the final state of the system (this includes accounting for the potential energy of each pair of interacting particles; spring potential energy).
For a system that can be modeled as two-point particles, use conservation of energy and linear momentum to explain and/or predict the final state of the system after a one-dimensional collision has occurred.
Use the center of mass system to explain the motion before, during, and after the collision of two objects that can be modeled as point particles.
Determine the net force acting on a single-particle system using a diagrammatic representation (free-body diagram) and by performing any necessary calculations.
Generate free body diagrams for single-particle systems where the momentum is changing (direction and/or magnitude) to explain the motion of the system and/or to predict various physical quantities associated with the system.
Decompose the net force vector parallel and perpendicular to the direction of motion to explain how the momentum of a single-particle system changes magnitude and direction and apply this decomposition to explain/predict phenomenon such as decreased/increased apparent weight, the motion of gravitationally interacting bodies, and wires snapped during motion.
Project 8: Learning Concepts
Carver has a lot of money wrapped up in this satellite, so he wants your team to simulate the orbit of the satellite. His lead computer scientist, Henry Gupta, has gone missing but left a piece of code that demonstrates the orbit of the satellite (or so he claims, Carver isn't really much of a scientist).
He wants you to make sure that Gupta's simulation does accurately represent the motion of the system. Using graphs of the movement of energy in the system and adding an arrow that represents the net force vector would convince him. To really impress Carver, you should add additional arrows representing the parallel and perpendicular components of the net force.
https://www.glowscript.org/#/user/pcubed/folder/incompleteprograms/program/LaunchingSattelite