Gravity Richard Barrans重力李察小石堆.pptVIP

Gravitational Energy Gravity is conservative § 12.4–12.6 Gravitational Potential Energy Work to bring two objects from separation ? to separation r: Negative because you must push against gravity to hold them The farther the d, the less negative the PE PE = –G m1m2 r Escape Speed if an object’s E = Ug + Ktr ≥ 0, it can “escape” from a gravitational field. The force never disappears, but the object does not return. E Ug 0 E r Example Problem Calculate the escape speed of Earth, that is, the speed with which a rocket must be launched if it is to completely escape the gravitational pull of Earth