Highest point an object can travel?

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The discussion centers on identifying the highest altitude an object can reach before descending, often referred to as the apex or maximum height. The term "apogee" is specifically used for satellites in orbit, while no uniform term exists for objects moving straight upward. The conversation also touches on concepts like ballistic motion and the deceleration of rising objects due to gravity. Participants clarify that acceleration and deceleration due to gravity are key factors in this context. Ultimately, the lack of a precise term for straight upward motion highlights the complexity of the inquiry.
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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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