Total energy is negative average kinetic energy

The total energy of an orbiting planet is equal to its negative kinetic energy averaged over time.

Conditions:

1. Works for elliptical (\(E < 0\)) orbits.

Links:

1. Physics LibreTexts. Section “Energy in Circular Orbits”.

total_mechanical_energy

The total mechanical_energy of the planet.

Symbol:

E

Latex:

\(E\)

Dimension:

energy

average_kinetic_energy

The kinetic_energy of the planet averaged over time.

Symbol:

avg(K)

Latex:

\(\langle K \rangle\)

Dimension:

energy

law

E = -avg(K)

Latex:

\[E = - \langle K \rangle\]