11/08/2010

Gravitational Potential Energy

To explore how much energy a spacecraft needs to escape from Earth’s gravity,
we must expand on the topic of gravitational potential energy.
SPH4UI To calculate the change in gravitational potential energy that a mass
undergoes when it undergoes a vertical displacement near the Earth’s surface,

UG  mg  h 
we used:

Where U G is the change in gravitational potential energy, m is the mass, g

is the magnitude of the gravitational field constant, and h is the vertical
displacement, where when we choose hi to be the ground, we simply obtain
U=mgh. This equation assumes that g remains reasonably constant during
the change in vertical displacement.
Gravitational Potential energy
We define the work done on a system by a specific conservative force as the
Mr. Burns negative of the change in a potential energy function associated with the force.
Changes are always taken as final minus initial values
Wconserv   U f  U i 
 U

Gravitational Potential Energy Gravitational Potential Energy

Change in potential energy is equal to the negative

As we recall from the Kinetic energy Theorem:
U  W of the work done by the gravitational force on a
 change in the Kinetic   net work done on  mass
  
 energy of a particle   the particle 
W   F  x  dx
f
Calculus definition of work
EK  EKf  EKi  W
i

U    F  x  dx
f This gives us a Calculus definition of
A force does positive work when it has a vector component in the same change in potential energy
direction as the displacement. If the work done on a particle is positive, then i
the particles kinetic energy increases.
 mg  dh  mgh f
hf
U  
Equation for change in
Since the work done a we move a mass between two points is  mghi potential energy
hi
independent upon the path, the force is conservative
U  mgh If we set, hi to be zero (the ground), we obtain
Wconserv  U  EK an simple formula to determine the potential
energy

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 11/08/2010

Gravitational Potential Energy Gravitational Potential Energy

Work done by the gravitational force FG during the

vertical motion of a mass from initial height y1 to
final height y2 as the body rises. The gravitational
potential energy U increases (negative work done
by gravity, Kinetic Energy decreases).
But, how do we handle Gravitational Potential Energy, when g is not a
constant (such as when we are not on Earth)?

Work done by the gravitational force FG during the

vertical motion of a mass from initial height y1 to
final height y2 as the body rises. The gravitational
potential energy U decreases (positive work done
by gravity, Kinetic Energy increases)

Gravitational Potential Energy Gravitational Potential Energy

GMm
Recall that the law of universal gravitation is given by: FG  2
r As the result of the work being done to
increase the separation from r1 to r2,
Where FG is the magnitude of the force of gravitational attraction between
the gravitational potential energy of the
any two objects, M is the mass of one object, m is the mass of the other
system increases.
object, and r is the distance between the centres of the two

The work done to change the

separation from r1 to r2 is
To increase the separation of the two masses requires work to be done. That equal is equal to the change in
is, we must do work to overcome the gravitational attraction between the two gravitational energy from r1 to
masses when moving mass m from distance r1 to distance r2 r2. However, recall that work
Work is done to overcome this distance done by a varying force is
r1 equal to the area under the
M m force-displacement graph for
r2 that interval.

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 11/08/2010

Gravitational Potential Energy Gravitational Potential Energy

To find an expression for this work, we consider a body of mass m outside the
Earth and compare the work Wgrav done by the gravitational force when a body You may be troubled by the equation for Gm1m2
moves directly away from or towards the centre of the Earth (from r=r1 to r=r2). gravitational potential energy because it U 
states that it is always negative. But we r
r2 r2 GmE m GmE m GmE m have encountered this before, recall when
Wgrav   Fdr    dr   we used U=mgh, we found that U could be
r1 r1 r2 r2 r1 negative whenever the body of mass was
below the arbitrary height we chose h to be
The path does not have Because
to be a the Force
straight line, it could also be a zero at.
curve, but the work done points directly upon the initial and
only depends
toward the centre of
final values of r, not the path taken (this is definition of a In using our equation, we have
conservative force). the Earth, F is
chosen U to be zero when the body
negative
of mass is infinitely far away from
We now define the corresponding potential energy U so that the Earth  r    .
Wgrav=U1-U2. Therefore we have a final definition of gravitational
potential energy As the body moves towards the Earth,
gravitational potential energy
Gm1m2
U  decreases and becomes negative.
r

Gravitational Potential Energy Gravitational Potential Energy

What is the change in gravitational potential energy of a 72.1 kg astronaut, lifted

These formula seen initially confusing when first encountered. from Earth’s surface into a circular orbit at an altitude of 4.35 x 10 2 km?

U  mgh U 
Gm1m2 rE  6.38 106 m M E  5.98 1024 kg
r
When gravity U  U f  U i
Universal Potential energy,
field is constant  GMm   GMm 
Equals zero when r    
(near Earth)  rf   ri 
approaches infinity 
  11 N  m 
2
   11 N  m  
  5.98 10 kg   72.1kg     6.67 10
2

  6.67 10   5.98 10 kg   72.1kg  

24 24

kg 2  kg 2 
     


 6.38 10 m  4.35 10 m 
6 5  
 
 6.38 10 m 
6 

   
  4.2198 109 J    4.5076 109 J 
Note: h is
But, they provide us with the same distance above
meaning. The change in gravitational  2.88 108 J U  mgh the ground
energy at the Earth's Surface is just a  N
Let’s approximate the answer using U=mgh   72.1kg   9.80   4.35 105 m 
special case of the general solution. This
 kg 
is the gravity well scientists talk about.
 3.07 108 J

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 11/08/2010

Gravitational Potential Energy Gravitational Potential Energy

We can use the fact that if no other external forces besides gravity affect a
mass, then the total energy is conserved (the gravitational force does work and Suppose you want to place a 1000 kg weather satellite into a circular orbit 300
thus the mechanical energy is conserved). The Kinetic Energy gained by the km above Earth’s surface.
system is matched with the Potential Energy lost, and thus our mass will have a) What speed, period, and radial acceleration must it have?
the following statement of energy conservation.. b) How much work has to be done to place the satellite in orbit?
c) How much additional work must be done to make this satellite escape
EK1  U1  EK 2  U 2 Earth’s gravity
Now by inserting the formulas for the Kinetic and Potential Energy and
ME=5.97x1024 kg
interpreting the scenario where the object reaches the r location where both EK2 RE=6380 km
and U2 have a zero value (where the object comes to a stop).
1 2 GMm
E K 1  U1  E K 2  U 2 mv 
This gives us the initial
speed v1, needed for a
2 r First we need the radius of the satellites orbit:
E K 1  U1  0 2GM
body to escape from the
v 
2 surface of a spherical
1 2  GMm  r mass M with radius r r  6380km  300km  6680km  6.68 106 m
mvi    0
2  r  v
2GM
This is the escape
r velocity of the mass

Gravitational Potential Energy Gravitational Potential Energy

Suppose you want to place a 1000 kg weather satellite into a circular orbit 300
Suppose you want to place a 1000 kg weather satellite into a circular orbit 300 km above Earth’s surface.
km above Earth’s surface. a) What speed, period, and radial acceleration must it have?
a) What speed, period, and radial acceleration must it have? b) How much work has to be done to place the satellite in orbit?
b) How much work has to be done to place the satellite in orbit? c) How much additional work must be done to make this satellite escape
c) How much additional work must be done to make this satellite escape Earth’s gravity
Earth’s gravity
For a stable orbit: FG=mac r  6.68 106 m For a stable orbit: FG=mac
r  6.68 106 m
GM E m  4 2 r 
 m 2 
r2  T  m

v  7720
 v2  11 N  m  4 2 r 2 r
  5.97 10 kg 
2
GM E m s
 m   6.67 10 T
24

r2  kg 2  GM E
 r  v
6.68 10 m6 2 r

GM E v
v m
r  7720 2  6.68 106 m 
s 
m
7720
s
 5440 s
 90.6 min

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 11/08/2010

Gravitational Potential Energy Gravitational Potential Energy

Suppose you want to place a 1000 kg weather satellite into a circular orbit 300 b) How much work has to be done to place the satellite in orbit?
km above Earth’s surface. The work required is the difference between the total mechanical energy when the
a) What speed, period, and radial acceleration must it have? satellite is in orbit (Ef) and when the satellite was on the launch pad (Ei).
b) How much work has to be done to place the satellite in orbit?
c) How much additional work must be done to make this satellite escape RE=6380 km
Earth’s gravity ME=5.97x1024 kg
W  E f  Ei R =6680 km
r  6.68 10 m   EKf  U f    EKi  U i 
6
v2 E f  EKf  U f
ac  1  GM E m     GM E m   1 2  GM E m 
r m   mv 2     0 
r    
  mv   
2
v  7720 2  rE   2 

r 
 m s 2
 N m
5.97 1024 kg  1000kg 12 m 6.67GMr 10E 11 NkgGM
 m2 E m 
2

2 
6.67 1011 5.97 10 24 kg  1000 kg  
 7720  1
 m
2

  1000kg   7720  
kg 2
 s  
    r 
 2  s 6.68 106 m  GM   
6
m 6.38 10 m
6.68 106 m 

  E
  2r
 circular orbit  

 2.99 1010 J   6.25 1010 J 
m
 8.92 2  3.26 1010 J
s

Gravitational Potential Energy Gravitational Potential Energy

c) How much additional work must be done to make this satellite escape
Earth’s gravity
• We recall that for a satellite to escape to infinity, the total mechanical energy
must be zero.
• The total mechanical energy in orbit Ef was -2.99 x 1010 J
• To increase this to zero, an amount of work equal to 2.99 x 1010 J must be
done.
A 5.00x102 kg weather satellite is to be placed into a circular geosynchronous
orbit (one orbit is 24 hours) around Earth .
M E  5.98 1024 kg rE  6.38 106 m
a) What is the radius of the satellite’s orbit?
b) What is the velocity of the satellites orbit?
c) What is the gravitational potential energy (universal) of the satellite when it is
at rest on Earth’s surface?
d) What is the total energy of the satellite when it is in geosynchronous orbit?
e) How much work the launch rocket do on the satellite to place it into orbit?
f) Once in orbit, how much additional energy would the satellite require to
escape from Earth’s potential well?
g) What should the launch velocity be it the satellite is required to escape from
Earth’s potential well?

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 11/08/2010

Gravitational Potential Energy Gravitational Potential Energy

A 5.00x102 kg weather satellite is to be placed into a circular geosynchronous A 5.00x102 kg weather satellite is to be placed into a circular geosynchronous
orbit (one orbit is 24 hours) around Earth . orbit (one orbit is 24 hours) around Earth .
M E  5.98 10 kg 24
rE  6.38 10 m 6
M E  5.98 1024 kg rE  6.38 106 m
a) What is the radius of the satellite’s orbit? b) What is the velocity of the satellites orbit?
Fc  FG Since we are given the period of the
GM E
GM E mS orbit is 24 hours. We will use the v
mS ac  Period version of centripetal r
r2
acceleration.
GM E  11 N  m 
2

  5.98 10 kg 
ac  2
 6.67 10
24
r kg 2 
  
11 N  m 
2

  5.98 10 kg   24h  3600s 

4 r GM E
2
4.23 10 m
 6.67 10
24 2 7
 2 kg 2 
 
3
T2 r
4 2
 3070
m
GM ET 2
r3   4.23 107 m s
4 2 km
 1.11104
GM ET 2 h
r 3
4 2

Gravitational Potential Energy Gravitational Potential Energy

A 5.00x102 kg weather satellite is to be placed into a circular geosynchronous A 5.00x102 kg weather satellite is to be placed into a circular geosynchronous
orbit (one orbit is 24 hours) around Earth . orbit (one orbit is 24 hours) around Earth .
M E  5.98 10 kg 24
rE  6.38 10 m 6
M E  5.98 1024 kg rE  6.38 106 m
c) What is the gravitational potential energy (universal) of the satellite when it is d) What is the total energy of the satellite when it is in geosynchronous orbit?
at rest on Earth’s surface?
ET  K  U
GM E ms
UG   1 GM E ms
rE  ms v 2 
2 r
 11 N  m 
2

 6.67 10   5.98 10 kg  5.00 10 kg 

24 2
1 GM E ms
kg 2  
 2 r
 6.38 106 m 
 2.36 109 J
 3.13 1010 J

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Gravitational Potential Energy Gravitational Potential Energy

A 5.00x102 kg weather satellite is to be placed into a circular geosynchronous A 5.00x102 kg weather satellite is to be placed into a circular geosynchronous
orbit (one orbit is 24 hours) around Earth . orbit (one orbit is 24 hours) around Earth .
M E  5.98 1024 kg rE  6.38 106 m M E  5.98 1024 kg rE  6.38 106 m
e) How much work the launch rocket do on the satellite to place it into orbit? f) Once in orbit, how much additional energy would the satellite require to
escape from Earth’s potential well?
W  E
The negative of
 E f  Ei Total Energy to
get the satellite
 2.36 109 J   3.13 1010 J  there.

 2.89 1010 J 2.36 109 J

Gravitational Potential Energy Gravitational Potential Energy

Suppose your hand moves up 0.50m while you are throwing a ball ( 0.145kg),
A 5.00x102 kg weather satellite is to be placed into a circular geosynchronous which leaves your hand with an upward velocity of 20.0 m/s. Assuming your
orbit (one orbit is 24 hours) around Earth . hand exerts a constant upward force on the ball, determine the magnitude of
M E  5.98 1024 kg rE  6.38 106 m this force. Determine the speed of the ball 15.0 m above the point where it
leaves your hand.
g) What should the launch velocity be it the satellite is required to escape from
Earth’s potential well?

We will look at the

2GM E
vE  energy diagrams
rE for y1, y2, and y3 to
guide us in solving
this problem
 N  m2 
 2   6.67 1011   5.98 10 kg 
24

 kg 2 

6.38 106 m
m
 1.12 104
s

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 11/08/2010

Gravitational Potential Energy Gravitational Potential Energy

Suppose your hand moves up 0.50m while you are throwing a ball (0.145kg), which leaves your hand Suppose your hand moves up 0.50m while you are throwing a ball (0.145kg), which leaves your hand
with an upward velocity of 20.0 m/s. Assuming your hand exerts a constant upward force on the ball, with an upward velocity of 20.0 m/s. Assuming your hand exerts a constant upward force on the ball,
determine the magnitude of this force. Determine the speed of the ball 15.0 m above the point where determine the magnitude of this force. Determine the speed of the ball 15.0 m above the point where
it leaves your hand. it leaves your hand.

The ball’s motion has

two stages: while it is The non gravitational force
in contact with your 3 of your hand acts only 3
hand and after it between points 1 and 2.
leaves your hand using a coordinate system
with point 2 being at 0m
and point 3 at 15.0m E K 1  U1  Whand
and  EK 2  U 2
To keep track of these
stages, we let point 1 point 1 at -0.50m,1 provides 1 2
mv1  mgy1  Whand
2
 mv2  mgy2
be where your hand 2 us with a easy application
2 2 2
first starts to move, of conservative energies to 2
 m
 0.145kg   20.0    0.145kg   9.8 2   0.0m 
1 m m
and point 2 where the  0.145this
0 J solve kg problem.
 9.80 2   0.50m   Whand 
ball leaves your hand,  s  2  s  s 
and point 3 where the Whand   EK 2  EK 1   U 2  U1 
The kinetic energy increases by
ball is 15.0m above
1
29.0J and the potential energy   29.0 J  0 J1   0   0.71J  
point 2. increases by 0.71J, the change in
total mechanical energy 29,7J is  29.7 J
due to the work by your hand.

Gravitational Potential Energy Gravitational Potential Energy

Suppose your hand moves up 0.50m while you are throwing a ball (0.145kg), which leaves your hand Suppose your hand moves up 0.50m while you are throwing a ball (0.145kg), which leaves your hand
with an upward velocity of 20.0 m/s. Assuming your hand exerts a constant upward force on the ball, with an upward velocity of 20.0 m/s. Assuming your hand exerts a constant upward force on the ball,
determine the magnitude of this force. Determine the speed of the ball 15.0 m above the point where determine the magnitude of this force. Determine the speed of the ball 15.0 m above the point where
it leaves your hand. it leaves your hand.

Since the force done by your

hand was a constant force,, 3 EK 2  U 2To
 Efind
K 3 the
U 3 speed at point 3
the W hand done by this force EK 33, we  U 2 that
EK 2 note U 3 the total
is equal to the force 1 2mechanical
1 energy
multiplied by the upward  mv22 points
mv3between mgy2  mgy
2 and
3 3
2 2
displacement (y2-y1) are conserved, Therefore
v3  v22  2 g  y2  y3 
we can use:
Whand  F  y2  y1  EK2+U
 2=EmK3+U3 
2
2 m 2
  20.0   2  9.8 2   0m  15m 
Whand  s  s 
F
y2  y1 m
 10.3
29.7 J s

0.50m 1 1
 59 N