Re: [Phys-l] Conservation of energy in nuclear reactions

[chuck britton <cvbritton@embarqmail.com>]

It seems consistent to me.

The 'projectile' leaves the planet with equal but opposite velocity.
Totally elastic.

Vi and Vf are both 'horizontal' velocities, diametrically opposed  
across the planet.

ri = rf  on opposite sides of the planet.


On May 4, 2009, at May 4(Mon) 1:00 , LaMontagne, Bob wrote:

> Carl,
>
> How is your Eqn (3) consistent with the "slingshot effect" that  
> occurs when a small mass "collides" gravitationally with a much  
> larger mass? I'm not questioning the correctness of your equation,  
> just its interpretation.
>
> Bob at PC
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: phys-l-bounces@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu [mailto:phys-l- 
> bounces@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu] On Behalf Of Carl Mungan
> Sent: Monday, May 04, 2009 12:36 PM
> To: phys-l@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu
> Subject: Re: [Phys-l] Conservation of energy in nuclear reactions
>
> John Denker and Brian Whatcott have already adequately responded to
> the questions asked about energy of/inside the system of rock and
> moon.
>
> As an addendum, consider computing the resulting speed of the rock
> relative to the moon in the general case where the rock can have any
> mass (not necessarily small compared to that of the moon) and may
> initially be traveling with nonzero speed in an arbitrary direction
> (ie. arbitrary initial velocity relative to the moon). Interestingly
> enough, it turns out one can write a simple equation for the
> resulting relative speed, Eq. (3) in the following:
>
> http://usna.edu/Users/physics/mungan/Publications/WAS2.pdf
>
> which has some nice applications. If you would like some fun, try
> deriving the formula for the relative speed before you look at that
> reference for the answer. -Carl
>
> (No novelty claimed in this reference of mine, but I think it's neat
> and I hope I've summarized things more clearly than I've seen in some
> other references.)
> --
> Carl E Mungan, Assoc Prof of Physics  410-293-6680 (O) -3729 (F)
> Naval Academy Stop 9c, 572C Holloway Rd, Annapolis MD 21402-5002
> mailto:mungan@usna.edu     http://usna.edu/Users/physics/mungan/
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