petrushka.googol Posted October 5, 2013 Share Posted October 5, 2013 Do the planets lose energy of motion (there is no friction in space) and will they continue in space as long as their parent star(s) exist ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swansont Posted October 5, 2013 Share Posted October 5, 2013 There is almost no friction in space. But that's not the only mechanism to worry about. Orbiting bodies can exchange energy via tidal interactions; this is why the moon is receding from the earth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J.C.MacSwell Posted October 5, 2013 Share Posted October 5, 2013 Do the planets lose energy of motion (there is no friction in space) and will they continue in space as long as their parent star(s) exist ? Barring accidents slightly yes and generally yes, The title question is a little more profound. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BearOfNH Posted October 6, 2013 Share Posted October 6, 2013 ... and will they continue in space as long as their parent star(s) exist ? Not necessarily. Planets can be ejected from a solar system by orbital dynamics involving heavier planets or rogue stars. There are many "orphan" planets out there, hurtling through space with no sun. The future of such a planet is independent of the former parent star. Current best models predict the universe will eventually suffer a heat death. Such a universe may be perpetual but there's nothing worthwhile going on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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