Energy
Under standard assumptions, specific orbital energy of elliptic orbit is negative and the orbital energy conservation equation (the Vis-viva equation) for this orbit can take the form:
where:
- is orbital speed of orbiting body,
- is distance of orbiting body from central body,
- is length of semi-major axis,
- is standard gravitational parameter.
Conclusions:
- For a given semi-major axis the specific orbital energy is independent of the eccentricity.
Using the virial theorem we find:
- the time-average of the specific potential energy is equal to 2ε
- the time-average of r−1 is a−1
- the time-average of the specific kinetic energy is equal to –ε
Read more about this topic: Elliptic Orbit
Famous quotes containing the word energy:
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—Mary Ritter Beard (18761958)
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—Mary Arrigo (20th century)
“Much of the modern resistance to chastity comes from mens belief that they own their bodiesthose vast and perilous estates, pulsating with the energy that made the worlds, in which they find themselves without their consent and from which they are ejected at the pleasure of Another!”
—C.S. (Clive Staples)