Gravitational Potential Energy, Escape Velocity and Satellites
Energy considerations in gravitation, and how satellites stay in orbit.
Gravitational Potential Energy
Work must be done against gravity to move an object away from a massive body — this work is stored as gravitational potential energy.
Escape Velocity
The minimum speed an object needs to completely escape a planet's gravitational pull, without any further propulsion.
Satellites
A satellite stays in a stable orbit when the gravitational force provides exactly the centripetal force needed for its circular motion.
Lesson 17 of 31