PARABOLIC ORBIT Meaning and
Definition
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A parabolic orbit refers to the trajectory followed by an object moving under the influence of gravitational forces such that it has a shape akin to a parabola. In this type of orbit, the object's path is characterized by a single curve that is open-ended and symmetrical. The motion of an object in a parabolic orbit occurs when it has just enough energy to escape the gravitational pull of another object, typically a planet or a star, but not enough energy to be captured into a closed elliptical orbit. Therefore, a parabolic orbit is a special case of an escape orbit.
The parabolic orbit is often observed for natural or artificial objects, such as comets or space probes, as they pass by or approach a massive celestial body. At the point of closest approach to the celestial body, referred to as the perigee, its speed steadily increases due to gravitational acceleration until it reaches the maximum velocity at that location. As the object continues its journey, moving away from the body, the gravitational pull diminishes, ultimately causing the object's speed to decrease. This results in the object following a symmetrical parabolic path before forever departing from the vicinity of the celestial body.
Common Misspellings for PARABOLIC ORBIT
- oarabolic orbit
- larabolic orbit
- 0arabolic orbit
- pzrabolic orbit
- psrabolic orbit
- pwrabolic orbit
- pqrabolic orbit
- paeabolic orbit
- padabolic orbit
- pafabolic orbit
- patabolic orbit
- pa5abolic orbit
- pa4abolic orbit
- parzbolic orbit
- parsbolic orbit
- parwbolic orbit
- parqbolic orbit
- paravolic orbit
- paranolic orbit
- paraholic orbit
Etymology of PARABOLIC ORBIT
The word "parabolic" comes from the Greek word "parabolḗ", which means comparison or analogy. In mathematics, a parabola is a specific type of curve with distinct properties. When we refer to a "parabolic orbit", it means an orbit that follows the shape of a parabola.
The term "orbit" has its roots in Latin. It comes from the Latin word "orbita", which translates to "course" or "track". In astronomy and space science, an orbit refers to the path followed by an object, such as a planet or a satellite, moving around a celestial body under the influence of gravity.
Therefore, the etymology of the term "parabolic orbit" combines the Greek origin of "parabolic" and the Latin origin of "orbit" to describe a specific type of celestial path resembling a parabola.
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