Gravitation: Orbits
Terms (orbits)
Terms
Escape velocity
-
The escape velocity is the minimum surface speed required to completely escape
the gravitational field of a planet. It does not depend on the direction of
launch. It is given by:
v = 
|
Viscous Drag
-
Viscous drag occurs when a satellite interacts with air molecules in the upper
atmosphere. The friction generated with the atmosphere speeds up the satellite
but spirals it into a lower orbit.
Formulae
| Relation between r and θ : |
|
= 
(1 + εcosθ)| Minimum radius: |
|
| Maximum radius: |
|
