Gravitation Energy: Calculating Required Energy for Orbit w/ m, T, M, R

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on calculating the energy required to place a mass m into orbit around Earth, expressed in terms of the orbital period T, mass M, and Earth's radius R. The user derives the radius and velocity of the orbit, confirming their results align with the textbook. The energy equation is manipulated, leading to a comparison with the book's solution, which simplifies to a specific form. The user identifies discrepancies in their calculations, particularly in combining terms, and attempts to reconcile their results with the textbook answer. Ultimately, the conversation highlights the complexities of orbital mechanics and the importance of careful algebraic manipulation in deriving energy equations.
Karol
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Homework Statement


A mass m is sent from Earth into an orbit. the period is T.
What is the energy required to put it into orbit. express it with T, m, M, R(radius of earth)

Homework Equations


$$E=\frac{1}{2}mv^2-\frac{GMm}{r}$$
$$2\pi r=vT$$

The Attempt at a Solution


I expressed the radius of the orbit r and the velocity:
$$r=\sqrt[3]{\frac{GMT^2}{4\pi^2}}$$
$$v=\sqrt[3]{\frac{2\pi GM}{T}}$$
Those results are correct according to the book. the energy required:
$$E=\frac{1}{2}mv^2-\frac{GMm}{r}-\left(-\frac{GMm}{R}\right)$$
$$E=m\frac{\sqrt[3]{\frac{4\pi^{2}G^{2}M^2}{T^2}}}{2}-GMm\left(\sqrt[3]{\frac{4\pi^2}{GMT^2}}-\frac{1}{R}\right)$$
$$E=m\sqrt[3]{\frac{G^{2}M^{2}\pi^2}{2T^2}}-m\sqrt[3]{\frac{G^{3}M^{3} 4\pi^2}{GMT^2}}+\frac{GMm}{R}$$
$$E=m\sqrt[3]{\frac{G^{2}M^{2}\pi^2}{2T^2}}-m\sqrt[3]{\frac{G^{2}M^{2} 4\pi^2}{T^2}}+\frac{GMm}{R}$$
The answer in the book is:
$$E=GMm\left( \frac{1}{R}-\sqrt[3]{\frac{\pi^2}{2GMT^2}}\right)$$
I can reach to that form, but this answer includes only the first:
$$\sqrt[3]{\frac{G^{2}M^{2}\pi^2}{2T^2}}$$
And the last elements in my result.
 
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I solved it using the energy in an orbit:
$$E=-\frac{GMm}{2r}$$
 
Karol said:

Homework Statement


A mass m is sent from Earth into an orbit. the period is T.
What is the energy required to put it into orbit. express it with T, m, M, R(radius of earth)

Homework Equations


$$E=\frac{1}{2}mv^2-\frac{GMm}{r}$$
$$2\pi r=vT$$

The Attempt at a Solution


I expressed the radius of the orbit r and the velocity:
$$r=\sqrt[3]{\frac{GMT^2}{4\pi^2}}$$
$$v=\sqrt[3]{\frac{2\pi GM}{T}}$$
Those results are correct according to the book. the energy required:
$$E=\frac{1}{2}mv^2-\frac{GMm}{r}-\left(-\frac{GMm}{R}\right)$$
$$E=m\frac{\sqrt[3]{\frac{4\pi^{2}G^{2}M^2}{T^2}}}{2}-GMm\left(\sqrt[3]{\frac{4\pi^2}{GMT^2}}-\frac{1}{R}\right)$$
$$E=m\sqrt[3]{\frac{G^{2}M^{2}\pi^2}{2T^2}}-m\sqrt[3]{\frac{G^{3}M^{3} 4\pi^2}{GMT^2}}+\frac{GMm}{R}$$
$$E=m\sqrt[3]{\frac{G^{2}M^{2}\pi^2}{2T^2}}-m\sqrt[3]{\frac{G^{2}M^{2} 4\pi^2}{T^2}}+\frac{GMm}{R}$$
The answer in the book is:
$$E=GMm\left( \frac{1}{R}-\sqrt[3]{\frac{\pi^2}{2GMT^2}}\right)$$
I can reach to that form, but this answer includes only the first:
$$\sqrt[3]{\frac{G^{2}M^{2}\pi^2}{2T^2}}$$
And the last elements in my result.
The first and second terms of your solution can be added together and are identical to the second term of the books solution.
 
dauto said:
The first and second terms of your solution can be added together and are identical to the second term of the books solution.
My solution:
Karol said:
$$E=m\sqrt[3]{\frac{G^{2}M^{2}\pi^2}{2T^2}}-m\sqrt[3]{\frac{G^{2}M^{2} 4\pi^2}{T^2}}+\frac{GMm}{R}$$
The answer in the book is:
$$E=GMm\left( \frac{1}{R}-\sqrt[3]{\frac{\pi^2}{2GMT^2}}\right)$$
It's not true that the first and second terms of my solution make the term in the book:
$$m\sqrt[3]{\frac{G^{2}M^{2}\pi^2}{2T^2}}-m\sqrt[3]{\frac{G^{2}M^{2} 4\pi^2}{T^2}}=\frac{1}{8}m\sqrt[3]{\frac{G^{2}M^{2}\pi^2}{T^2}}-64m\sqrt[3]{\frac{G^{2}M^{2} \pi^2}{T^2}}=-63\frac{7}{8}m\sqrt[3]{\frac{G^{2}M^{2}\pi^2}{T^2}}$$
And the term in the book gives:
$$GMm\sqrt[3]{\frac{\pi^2}{2GMT^2}}=m\sqrt[3]{\frac{G^{3}M^{3}\pi^2}{2GMT^2}}=m\sqrt[3]{\frac{G^{2}M^{2}\pi^2}{2T^2}}$$
And it's only the first term in my answer
 
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