Gravitational Potential Energy Well | AP Physics 1 | ShowMeClass

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Gravitational Potential Energy Well

AP Physics 1 · Unit 3: Universal Gravitation

Key Objectives

Observe how the 3D potential "funnel" deepens linearly as Central Mass ($M$) increases.

Understand why $U_g$ is universally defined as a negative scalar (deep in a hole).

Escape Velocity: Watch the D3 graph as $K$ overcomes $U_g$, forcing Total Energy $E \ge 0$.

Governing Equations

*If $E \ge 0$, the object has enough kinetic energy to leave the well forever (Escape Orbit).*

Bound Orbit Escape Energy $1/r$ Potential

ESCAPE VELOCITY REACHED!

Orbit Status

BOUND (ELLIPSE)

Total Energy ($E$)

-0.00 J

Energy Ledger ($E = K + U_g$)

🪐 Central Body

Central Mass ($M$) 10.0 x 10²⁴ kg

🛰️ Satellite Settings

Satellite Mass ($m$) 5.0 x 10³ kg

Initial Orbit Radius ($r$) 10.0 Mm

Tangential Speed ($v_0$) 2.5 km/s

Orbital Mathematics

          Pot. Energy ($U_g$): -0.00 GJ

          Kin. Energy ($K$): 0.00 GJ

          Escape Speed ($v_{esc}$): 0.00 km/s