Regarding the radius in the orbital velocity

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The velocity of a body in orbit changes due to its radius from the center of gravity, as dictated by the conservation of energy. Gravitational potential energy (GPE) is negative and increases in magnitude with decreasing radius, necessitating an increase in kinetic energy to maintain constant total energy. This principle is observable in elliptical orbits, where bodies move fastest at their closest approach and slowest at their farthest point. The discussion emphasizes that gravity is a geometric deformation of spacetime rather than a traditional force, aligning with Einstein's General Relativity.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of gravitational potential energy (GPE)
  • Familiarity with Newton's Law of Gravitation
  • Basic knowledge of Einstein's General Relativity
  • Concept of kinetic and potential energy in orbital mechanics
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the relationship between gravitational potential energy and kinetic energy in orbital mechanics
  • Explore the implications of Einstein's General Relativity on gravitational interactions
  • Learn about elliptical orbits and their characteristics in celestial mechanics
  • Investigate the mathematical formulation of spacetime curvature and its effects on motion
USEFUL FOR

Astronomy students, physicists, and anyone interested in understanding the dynamics of orbital mechanics and the nature of gravity.

DLeuPel
Messages
56
Reaction score
2
Would the velocity of a body which is orbiting another body change due to its radius to the center of gravity? If so, why? A body which moves passed a planet and starts orbiting it should have the same velocity it had before ,regarding the fact that it is orbiting a planet. Also, gravity isn’t really a force but the geometrical deformation of the fabric of space time. So really is like if you were riding your car in a tilted road so the car curves itself without the need of any forces acting upon it. The more the gravity the more the road is titled.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
DLeuPel said:
Would the velocity of a body which is orbiting another body change due to its radius to the center of gravity?
Yes, because of conservation of energy. Gravitational potential energy is negative. Its magnitude increases with decreasing radius. The orbiting body's kinetic energy must increase in order to keep the total energy constant. You can observe this with bodies in elliptical orbits: they move fastest at the closest point to their central body, and slowest at the farthest point.
 
DLeuPel said:
Also, gravity isn’t really a force
Oh, isn't it ?
 
What is the gravitacional potencial energy? I’m not asking for the equations i just want to know what relation does gravity have with energy.
 
jtbell said:
Yes, because of conservation of energy. Gravitational potential energy is negative. Its magnitude increases with decreasing radius. The orbiting body's kinetic energy must increase in order to keep the total energy constant. You can observe this with bodies in elliptical orbits: they move fastest at the closest point to their central body, and slowest at the farthest point.
What is the gravitacional potencial energy? I’m not asking for the equations i just want to know what relation does gravity have with energy.
 
DLeuPel said:
Also, gravity isn’t really a force but the geometrical deformation of the fabric of space time.

The force of gravity is defined as F=(Gm1m2)/r^2. You've probably seen it modeled as a fabric/grid.
 
DLeuPel said:
What is the gravitacional potencial energy? I’m not asking for the equations i just want to know what relation does gravity have with energy.

GPE is inversely related to the radius and directly proportional to mass and gravitational constant.
 
osilmag said:
The force of gravity is defined as F=(Gm1m2)/r^2. You've probably seen it modeled as a fabric/grid.
Only according to Newton’s Law of Gravitation which is wrong. But we use his equations due to the fact that they are more simple to use and the solutions that they give us are very close to the real solution to gravity related problems. The accepted model of gravity is that of Einstein’s famous General Relativity. In which gravity is not a force but the presence of matter bending a fabric. Just like applying pressure to your bed and see how it sinks with your fist. Here she a link to an easy to see representation of gravity
 
DLeuPel said:
What is the gravitacional potencial energy? I’m not asking for the equations i just want to know what relation does gravity have with energy.
Energy is the potential to do work. Gravitational potential energy is therefore the ability for gravity to do work. In this case, applying a force to accelerate an object approaching another object.
Only according to Newton’s Law of Gravitation which is wrong.
Newton's Law of Gravitation is not "wrong" in a binary sense. It is highly accurate for most everyday purposes including the scenario you describe in this thread.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: BvU
  • #10
DLeuPel said:
The accepted model of gravity is that of Einstein’s famous General Relativity. In which gravity is not a force...
It's not an interaction force in GR, but can still be modeled as an inertial force, based on which potential energy can be defined.

DLeuPel said:
...but the presence of matter bending a fabric. Just like applying pressure to your bed and see how it sinks with your fist. Here she a link to an easy to see representation of gravity
A very misleading analogy, as explained here:
https://www.physicsforums.com/threa...the-force-of-gravitation.760793/#post-4791624

See this for a more relevant analogy:
https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/gravity-and-curved-space.917934/#post-5786330

DLeuPel said:
I’m not asking for the equations i just want to know what relation does gravity have with energy.
Equations is how relations are stated in physics.
 
Last edited:
  • #11
To understand gravitational Potential energy without using math, picture dropping a steel ball bearing on a plate of glass. Not a very heavy ball bearing, just a small one you could hold in your fingertips. If you drop it from a couple of inches, the glass vibrates, and you hear a sharp noise. Drop it from a couple of feet, and the noise will be much louder, and the bearing Will bounce. Drop it from 8 to 10 feet, and will break the glass. As you raise the bearing higher above the glass, you give it more potential to do work on the glass. When you release the bearing, that potential energy is converted into kinetic. As the bearing gets lower and lower, it’s speed increases. That is to say, it’s potential energy is converted into kinetic energy.

In orbital mechanics, this relationship works the same way. It is most easily seen in highly elliptical orbits. As the object “falls” closer to the center of gravity, it gains speed. After passing its closest point, it begins climbing again, and slowing down.
 
  • #12
DLeuPel said:
Would the velocity of a body which is orbiting another body change due to its radius to the center of gravity? If so, why? A body which moves passed a planet and starts orbiting it should have the same velocity it had before ,regarding the fact that it is orbiting a planet. Also, gravity isn’t really a force but the geometrical deformation of the fabric of space time. So really is like if you were riding your car in a tilted road so the car curves itself without the need of any forces acting upon it. The more the gravity the more the road is titled.

To answer the why question directly. Because, the curvature of spacetime outside a spherical object is described by:

##ds^2 = -(1- \frac{2M}{r})dt^2 + (1- \frac{2M}{r})^{-1}dr^2 + r^2(d\theta^2 + \sin^2 \theta d\phi^2)##

Which leads to the "energy" equation of motion:

##E = \frac12(\frac{dr}{d\tau})^2 + V(r)##

Where ##V(r)## is the effective potential. This is the same equation as in Newtonian gravity, but in GR this potential has an additional term. For planetary orbits about the Sun, for example, this additional term is negligible, so we have a valid Newtonian approximation.

You may be thinking (from your rubber sheet or road analogies) that space itself has a defined shape and compels an object to move in a specific physical path. One problem with these analogies is that it is spacetime that is curved. So, one of the dimensions on your rubber sheet should be the time dimension, which is not so easy to visualise.

Because spacetime (space and time) are curved, the notion of "constant speed" is not so clear cut. We (as outside observers, using our system of coordinates - centred on the Sun, say) measure a change in coordinate velocity - that is not measurable as an acceleration by the orbiting body itself.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
2K
  • · Replies 28 ·
Replies
28
Views
4K
  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K
  • · Replies 27 ·
Replies
27
Views
3K
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
2K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
2K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
3K