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Article
Projectile Motion in the Language of Orbital Motion
European Journal of Physics
  • Ulrich Zurcher, Cleveland State University
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
7-1-2011
Disciplines
Abstract

We consider the orbit of projectiles launched with arbitrary speeds from the Earth's surface. This is a generalization of Newton's discussion about the transition from parabolic to circular orbits, when the launch speed approaches the value [\nu =\sqrt{g R_{E}}]. We find the range for arbitrary launch speeds and angles, and calculate the eccentricity of the elliptical orbits.

DOI
10.1088/0143-0807/32/4/010
Citation Information
Zürcher, U. (2011). Projectile motion in the ‘language’ of orbital motion. European Journal of Physics, 32(4), 955-964.