Chemistry newb wants to know about:

[Tigernmas]

Considering the first law of thermodynamics i would like to pose the following theoretical question;

 

Two equally massive bodies (solar) at complete rest in the universe, a distance of 30 million Km separation between them. Gravity acts upon them they attract each other, and the distance between them becomes less, where does this kinetic energy come from?? Is this impossible?

 

 

If the answer is obvious please don't mock me, i'm only starting my level 2 chemistry studies at the OU, though i really enjoy some basic aspects of physics and i find cosmology just frightening!(but amazing)

 

 

ta M

Edited July 5, 2011 by Tigernmas

[Fuzzwood]

They have potential energy, stored as mass * gravitational constant * distance: m*g*h = E = 0,5 m * v². As you can see, mass cancels out, so g*h = v²/2 remains.

Edited July 5, 2011 by Fuzzwood

[Tigernmas]

thanks, i never understood gravity.Is gravity misunderstood or will the dark realm rule forever...?

[DrRocket]

thanks, i never understood gravity.Is gravity misunderstood or will the dark realm rule forever...?

 

It rather depends on who is doing the understanding.

 

General relativity is a pretty good model of gravitation. Iit has some limitations, and a better theory may eventually be developed, but for now it does provide a high level of understanding.