Orbital energy: Difference between revisions
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When a body orbits another body, it has [[kinetic energy]] (since it is moving) and [[potential energy]] (since [[gravity]] is pulling it towards the other body). The sum of these two energies is the total orbital energy, and remains constant so long as no external force acts on the body. | When a body orbits another body, it has [[kinetic energy]] (since it is moving) and [[potential energy]] (since [[gravity]] is pulling it towards the other body). The sum of these two energies is the total orbital energy, and remains constant so long as no external force acts on the body. | ||
[[Category:Orbital Mechanics]] | |||
Revision as of 18:06, 4 February 2013
When a body orbits another body, it has kinetic energy (since it is moving) and potential energy (since gravity is pulling it towards the other body). The sum of these two energies is the total orbital energy, and remains constant so long as no external force acts on the body.