Highest point an object can travel?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around identifying the term for the highest altitude an object can reach before descending, particularly in the context of motion under the influence of gravity. Participants explore various terms and concepts related to this idea, including specific cases like satellites and projectiles.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant asks for the term describing the highest altitude an object can reach when it has no more potential energy to rise further.
  • Another participant suggests the term "Epoch" but seeks clarification on its definition in this context.
  • Several participants discuss the deceleration of a rising object due to gravity, proposing terms like "non-propulsion inertial resistance," "acceleration/deceleration due to gravity," and "ballistic motion."
  • A participant mentions that for satellites, the highest point in an eccentric orbit is called "apogee" and relates this to the concept of orbital motion.
  • Another participant critiques the original question as poorly posed and suggests that the intended term might be "apex" or "maximum height," noting the lack of a uniform response.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the terminology and definitions related to the highest point an object can reach. There is no consensus on a single term, and various interpretations and suggestions are presented.

Contextual Notes

Some terms proposed may depend on specific contexts, such as orbital mechanics versus projectile motion, and the discussion reflects a variety of interpretations without resolving these nuances.

Vectory
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Can anyone (obviously someone can) tell me what the highest altitude an object in motion with no more potential energy to rise any further by itself can travel upward before it descends is called? I will appreciate your insight.
 
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The Epoch?
 
How is that term defined exactly in the context of my ? Sounds like that could be it if it is not that already. Would that be the most technical response?
 
What is it called when the weight of a rising object (+gravity) decelerates it as it loses kinetic energy?
 
Vectory said:
What is it called when the weight of a rising object (+gravity) decelerates it as it loses kinetic energy?

Can you give more details about what you are looking for here?
 
Vectory said:
What is it called when the weight of a rising object (+gravity) decelerates it as it loses kinetic energy?

Non-propulsion inertial resistance.
 
Vectory said:
How is that term defined exactly in the context of my ? Sounds like that could be it if it is not that already. Would that be the most technical response?

epoch: "the displacement from zero at zero time of a body undergoing simple harmonic motion."

So if you set your t_0 at the top of the curve then this would be your epoch :D
 
Vectory said:
What is it called when the weight of a rising object (+gravity) decelerates it as it loses kinetic energy?

Acceleration/ deceleration due to gravity is the term I've always heard.
 
Vectory said:
What is it called when the weight of a rising object (+gravity) decelerates it as it loses kinetic energy?

Ballistic Motion
 
  • #10
berkeman said:
Ballistic Motion

Thats it!
 
  • #11
Vectory said:
Can anyone (obviously someone can) tell me what the highest altitude an object in motion with no more potential energy to rise any further by itself can travel upward before it descends is called? I will appreciate your insight.

For a satellite orbiting the Earth in an eccentric orbit the point of highest ascent is called the 'apogee'. See the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apsis" for the origin of that word.

Astronomy only has a word for the point of highest ascent in orbiting motion; to my knowledge there is no word for the case where an object is moving straight up. However, any free motion subject only to gravitation can be regarded as orbital motion.

Of course, in the case of straight upward motion the 'orbit' is extremely eccentric, and also the orbit is on a collision course with the Earth. Still, I think it's perfectly consistent to refer to the point of highest ascent as 'apogee'.
 
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  • #12
Vectory said:
Can anyone (obviously someone can) tell me what the highest altitude an object in motion with no more potential energy to rise any further by itself can travel upward before it descends is called? I will appreciate your insight.

Your question is poorly posed, which is why no one has been able to give you a straight answer. I think what you're TRYING to ask is below:

Vectory said:
What do you call the point of highest altitude a projectile in motion reaches?

The answer is there isn't really a uniform response, but most descriptive terms would center around apex or maximum height (or altitude).
 

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