Kinetic energy in an orbit
The kinetic energy of an object in orbit can easily be found from
the following equations:
Centripetal force on a satellite of mass m moving at velocity v in
an orbit of radius r = mv2/r
But this is equal to the gravitational force (F)
between the planet (mass M) and the satellite:
F =GMm/r2 and
so mv2 = GMm/r
But kinetic energy = ½mv2 and so:
kinetic
energy of the satellite = ½ GMm/r
Kinetic energy in orbit = ½ mv2 = + ½GMm/r
All satellites have to be given a
tangential velocity (v) to maintain their orbit position and this process
is called orbit injection.
Total energy of satellite in orbit = -GMm/2r
However the total energy INPUT required to put a satellite into an orbit of
radius r around a planet of mass M and radius R is therefore the sum of the
gravitational potential energy (GMm[1/R-1/r]) and the kinetic energy of the
satellite ( ½GMm/r).
Energy of launch = GMm[1/R – 1/2r]
Example problem
Calculate the total energy required to place the space shuttle in orbit.
Orbit radius = 6.76x106 m
Mass of space shuttle = 1.18x105 kg
Gravitational constant G = 6.67x10-11 Nm2kg-2
Mass of the Earth = 6x1024 kg Radius of the Earth = 6.4x106 m
Velocity in this orbit: v = √GM/r = √[6.67x10-11x6x1024]/6.76x106 = 7690 ms-1
Total energy required = GMm[1/R –1/2r] = 3.9x1012 J
Note: this is very
much simplified calculation. The mass used is just that of the shuttle orbiter. To raise the orbiter into its
orbit requires rockets and fuel and these in turn need energy to lift them off the ground. The actual
total energy required for the mission is therefore much larger than the result quoted
above.
A VERSION IN WORD IS AVAILABLE ON THE SCHOOLPHYSICS USB
