<p>The total energy is the sum of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinetic_energy" rel="nofollow">kinetic energy</a> and the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potential_energy" rel="nofollow">potential energy</a>. It is constant, unless some interaction such as a collision between bodies occurs. </p>

<p>The kinetic energy is easy to understand. For a mass $m$ and velocity $v$ it is given by</p>

<p>$$E_k = ½mv^2$$</p>

<p>The potential energy formula is (technically) given as</p>

<p>$$U = -μm/r$$</p>

<p>where $μ$ is the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Standard_gravitational_parameter" rel="nofollow">Standard gravitational parameter</a>. (I say technically because it can be hard to grasp the concept of negative energy. See the linked articles).</p>

<p>In the case of a hyperbolic orbit the velocity and distance from the sun must be measured; one cannot be derived from the other as is the case with a known elliptical orbit.</p>

<p>See also </p>

<ul>
<li><p><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Specific_orbital_energy" rel="nofollow">Specific orbital energy</a></p></li>
<li><p><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gravitational_energy" rel="nofollow">Gravitational energy</a></p></li>
<li><p><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gravitational_constant" rel="nofollow">Gravitational constant</a></p></li>
</ul>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-05-27T07:19:38.830Z
Is it allowed to ask another related question here ?
EFmiza
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-05-27T07:35:23.477Z
We prefer that you post a new question, especially after there is already an answer :-)
andy256
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-05-27T01:36:03.927Z
2015-05-27T01:36:03.927Z
andy256
<p>For example, for a comet that travels on the hyperbolic orbit around the sun.</p>

<orbit>
How to calculate full (mechanical) energy on the hyperbolic orbit?
EFmiza
# How to calculate full (mechanical) energy on the hyperbolic orbit?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2015-05-26)

For example, for a comet that travels on the hyperbolic orbit around the sun.

**Tags:** orbit

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2015-05-27. Score: 3 | Accepted answer

The total energy is the sum of the [kinetic energy](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinetic_energy) and the [potential energy](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potential_energy). It is constant, unless some interaction such as a collision between bodies occurs.

The kinetic energy is easy to understand. For a mass $m$ and velocity $v$ it is given by

$$E\_k = ½mv^2$$

The potential energy formula is (technically) given as

$$U = -μm/r$$

where $μ$ is the [Standard gravitational parameter](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Standard_gravitational_parameter). (I say technically because it can be hard to grasp the concept of negative energy. See the linked articles).

In the case of a hyperbolic orbit the velocity and distance from the sun must be measured; one cannot be derived from the other as is the case with a known elliptical orbit.

See also

* [Specific orbital energy](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Specific_orbital_energy)
* [Gravitational energy](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gravitational_energy)
* [Gravitational constant](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gravitational_constant)

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Is it allowed to ask another related question here ?  
> **username_1**: We prefer that you post a new question, especially after there is already an answer :-)  

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