A non-rotating spherical planet with no atmosphere has a mass M and radius R. A particle is fired off from the surface with a speed equal to 3/4 the escape speed. Calculate the farthest distance it reaches (measured from the center of the planet) if it is fired tangentially. I know how solve it if fired radially, but I don't know how to do it if the particle is fired tangentially.
2 answers
If fired radically, there is some initial angular momentum, which has to be conserved. At the end, it also has to be conserved, which means it there is some angular KEnergy. So calculate this initial rotational KE, and in the end, it will subtract from the final gravitational PE, you can calculate the distance reached.
Darn it, "If fired tangentally, ..."
Correct the above response.
Correct the above response.
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