Asked by Alfred
(A) Identify how the gravitational potential energy changes as a shuttle takes off from the launch pad.
(b) Explain the consequences to the space craft and its occupants if the shuttle is undergoing re-entry, and the angle of re-entry is significantly greater (steeper) than optimal.
(b) Explain the consequences to the space craft and its occupants if the shuttle is undergoing re-entry, and the angle of re-entry is significantly greater (steeper) than optimal.
Answers
Answered by
Damon
Increases
at first use mgh but as radius gets to be order of magnitude of earth radius you have to integrate using
F = integral of Gravitational constant*mshuttle*mearth/r^2 dr
which is constant * (1/rearth-1/rshuttleaboveearth)
If angle is steep, force of gravity becomes much bigger that mass times centripetal acceleration becuase V tangential is too small and body accelertates downward too fast.
at first use mgh but as radius gets to be order of magnitude of earth radius you have to integrate using
F = integral of Gravitational constant*mshuttle*mearth/r^2 dr
which is constant * (1/rearth-1/rshuttleaboveearth)
If angle is steep, force of gravity becomes much bigger that mass times centripetal acceleration becuase V tangential is too small and body accelertates downward too fast.