Universal Gravitation & Orbits – AP Physics 1 | ShowMeClass

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Universal Gravitation & Orbits

AP Physics 1 · Unit 3: Circular Motion & Gravitation

Key Objectives

Verify $F_g$ provides the centripetal force for circular orbits.

Observe that Total Mechanical Energy ($E = K + U_g$) is strictly conserved.

Discover elliptical orbits where objects speed up at the periapsis (closest) and slow down at apoapsis (farthest).

Equations

Vectors

→ Velocity ($\vec{v}$)
→ Grav. Force ($\vec{F_g}$)

Gravitation Orbits Energy AP Physics 1 Unit 3

Time ($t$)0 days

Radius ($r$)-- $R_E$

Velocity ($v$)-- km/s

Energy vs Time (Continuous)

Launch Parameters

Initial Altitude 1.0 $R_E$

Distance above Earth surface. Radius $r = 1 + h$.

Initial Velocity ($v_0$) 7.9 km/s

Launch Angle ($\theta$) 0°

Angle relative to circular tangent.

Live Energy Reference

$U_g$ (Potential)

$K$ (Kinetic)

$E$ (Total)