Physics: swing by (1 Viewer)

[khorne]

I know it's in the wrong forum, move it after I get an answer, the physics ones are dead.

Am I right in explaining the swing by effect in terms of work done instead of an elastic collision. Since the gravitational force serves to change the direction of motion, i.e acts as a force on the object swinging by, it is obvious the planet does work on the object. This results in a gain of energy (work = change in kinetic energy (or other forms of energy for that matter)). Similarly the probe does work on the planet, in the opposite direction (as per conservation of energy), so the planet loses energy.

Is this fine?

 

[_deloso]

just say gravitational force accelerates the probe towards it and due to the planet orbiting, it has kinetic energy so the probe gains velocity while the planet loses velocity (conservation of energy) just stick to the normal answer cos even though you're right, markers have a set criteria that they follow. So look at past papers and their answer for an idea of what they expect as an answer