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Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology / Formula for energy loss in space?
« on: 16/03/2004 06:33:47 »
This question is to be considered in space away from any effecting masses. I am trying to find a formula to figure out the loss of energy when an object weighing x amount traveling at an x amount of speed in one starting direction makes a gradual turn of 90 degrees. What is the force applied to its opposition and what speed is lost? Imagine a track in space and an object was traveling down this track at a set speed. When the object reached the curve, how fast would the track want to start moving and how much will the object want to slow down? For ease of formula imagine the track can only travel in the objects original direction, so the object would want to turn and the track would go straight.