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A131313
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- Homework Statement
- Explain why the kinetic energy is 0 at an infinite distance
- Relevant Equations
- Newton's law of gravitation, Law of Conservation of Energy, Gravitational potential energy, kinetic energy
Hello! I'm trying to understand the concept of escape velocity, and I know you equate the initial mechanical energy to the final mechanical energy, where the final mechanical energy is at a distance of infinity. I know that the gravitational potential energy approaches 0 as the distance r gets infinitely large, but how in the heck is kinetic energy also equal to 0 at at an infinitely large distance? Sorry if this is a really rudimentary question and I'm just being stupid, but the explain would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!