Unusual escape velocity derivation

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on deriving escape velocity through methods other than energy conservation, specifically using momentum and force balance considerations or angular momentum. Participants argue that while alternative approaches exist, such as evaluating trajectories and initial velocities, these ultimately resemble energy conservation principles. The consensus is that any derivation of escape velocity, including those based on forces, tends to revert to energy concepts, particularly due to the conservative nature of gravitational fields.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of gravitational potential energy and kinetic energy
  • Familiarity with momentum and force balance principles
  • Basic knowledge of angular momentum
  • Proficiency in calculus, particularly integration techniques
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  • Study the conservative nature of gravitational fields and its effects on trajectories
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Physics students, educators, and professionals interested in advanced mechanics, particularly those exploring alternative derivations of escape velocity and the principles of energy conservation.

Dilema
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Is it possible to derive escape velocity say using momentum and force balance considerations? or using angular momentum consideration?
Namely, any other approach then energy consideration that utilizes gravitation potential energy and kinetic energy?
 
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Dilema said:
Summary: Does anyone knows other derivation then the usual energy conservation to the escape velocity: v=(2MG/r)^0.5?

Is it possible to derive escape velocity say using momentum and force balance considerations? or using angular momentum consideration?
Namely, any other approach then energy consideration that utilizes gravitation potential energy and kinetic energy?
One could, of course, attack the problem from first principles using forces and masses, determining a trajectory and evaluating the required initial velocity to reach a chosen distance using a particular launch angle. One could then take the limit as the target distance is allowed to increase without bound.

Similarly, one could exploit time reversal symmetry and use the same approach to determine the final velocity and impact angle for a drop from a large finite distance with a particular initial angular momentum and then take the limit as the initial distance is allowed to increase without bound.

But it is so much easier to use the fact the the gravitational field is conservative. It then follows immediately that the trajectory is irrelevant and that only the starting and ending points matter.
 
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Thanks
jbriggs444
If you found a document that derived it please let me know.
 
jbriggs444 said:
One could, of course, attack the problem from first principles using forces and masses, determining a trajectory and evaluating the required initial velocity to reach a chosen distance using a particular launch angle. One could then take the limit as the target distance is allowed to increase without bound.

You could. But adding up the forces in tiny little steps looks a lot like integrating the forces in infinitesimal steps, and that's just energy.

I suspect that any derivation falls into this category - it's an obfuscated or at least decorated restatement of energy conservation.
 
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Vanadium 50 said:
But adding up the forces in tiny little steps looks a lot like integrating the forces in infinitesimal steps, and that's just energy.
Right. It's the process used in calculus-based introductory physics textbooks to derive the expression for the electric potential energy. When one uses conservation of energy to find the escape velocity one is making use of the results derived from integrating the force.
 

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