5.2 Force Needed for Circular Motion
Getting into Orbit
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Instructions:
Click on the "Start Simulation" button to open the applet
window. You can set the initial velocity of the projectile by either pressing the
"+" and "-" buttons or by clicking on the velocity vector with left
mouse key and dragging to the desired value. The magnitude of the velocity is shown
at the top left corner of the canvas. The task is to find the velocity necessary to
place our object (cannon ball on top of a very high mountain) into circular orbit around
the earth. You may check the effect of the velocity you have chosen by pressing the
"start" button.Navigation:
You can come back to this window by pressing the "Close Simulation" button on
the bottom frame of the utility. |
Explanation:
As discussed in section 5.2, any object in circular orbit is subject
to a centripetal force. The only force acting on the mass in this case is the
gravitational force. Consequently, to remain in circular orbit, the centripetal force has
to be equal to the gravitational pull. Example 5.13 is an illustration of the same
concept for an object at any circular orbit. |
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Source:
Fu-Kwun HwangGo to the web site and link to the Online Library for further information.
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