# Motion in a central potential

1. Feb 24, 2009

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
What minimal speed do you need to throw a stone with so that it starts orbiting the Earth? What minimal speed do you need to throw a stone with so that it flies off to infinity (forgetting about the Sun)?

2. Relevant equations
The motion of the stone takes place in an effective potential $$U_{eff} = \frac{M^2}{2m_{stone}r^2} - \frac{Gm_{earth} m_{stone}}{r}$$ Where M is the angular momentum of the stone and r is the radial coordinate in polar coordinates.

3. The attempt at a solution
I know that in order for the stone to orbit the earth it needs to have an energy that is negative but also greater than the effective potential and that in order for it to go off to infinity it needs to have an energy greater than zero.

I was thinking that since the stone is coming from earth, we look at where the effective potential crosses the r-axis and which radial speed, $$\frac{dr}{dt}$$, makes the energy just below zero and which makes it just above zero at that particular point. My reason for thinking this is that this will be the closet point at which the stone can branch off and either remain bounded or fly off to infinity. I don't feel very confident though and I had a lot of trouble trying to start this problem. If anyone can give me some pointers or kind of nudge me in the right direction I'd be very grateful. Thanks.