Total energy of astronomical body is negative: Total energy of an astronomical body is positive:
Total energy of astronomical body is negative: Total energy of an astronomical body is positive:
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Escaping the Solar System
Transcribed Image Text:**Understanding the Total Energy of Astronomical Bodies**
In this section, we explore the implications of the total energy of an astronomical body being negative, positive, or zero. These different scenarios are crucial in understanding the dynamics and behavior of celestial bodies within the universe.
1. **Total Energy of an Astronomical Body is Negative:**
- This scenario typically indicates a bound system where the gravitational potential energy is greater (in magnitude) than the kinetic energy. Examples include planets orbiting a star or moons orbiting a planet. The system remains stable over time, as energy is not sufficient to escape the gravitational pull.
2. **Total Energy of an Astronomical Body is Positive:**
- A positive total energy suggests an unbound system, where kinetic energy exceeds gravitational potential energy. This scenario often describes bodies that are moving away from each other, eventually escaping gravitational attraction. Examples are hyperbolic orbits or objects ejected from a gravitational influence.
3. **Total Energy of an Astronomical Body is Zero:**
- Zero total energy represents the boundary between bound and unbound states. In this case, kinetic and potential energy balance each other. Often associated with parabolic trajectories, it indicates an object that just achieves the speed needed to escape gravitational pull but no additional energy.
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