Author: iamdefinitory

SPECIAL RELATIVITY – Einstein’s theory stating that the laws of physics are the same in all inertial frames of reference.

FREE FALL – The motion of an object solely under the influence of gravity.

ROCHE LIMIT – The minimum distance at which a celestial body can orbit another without being torn apart by tidal forces.

KEPLER-NEWTON SYNTHESIS – The integration of Kepler’s planetary motion laws with Newton’s gravitational theory.

NEWTON’S CRADLE – A device demonstrating conservation of momentum and energy.

CENTER OF MASS – The point where the combined mass of two orbiting objects is balanced.

GRAVITATIONAL POTENTIAL ENERGY – The energy an object has due to its position in a gravitational field.

NEWTONIAN MECHANICS – The classical physics framework based on Newton’s laws of motion and gravity.

ORBITAL MOTION – The movement of an object around another due to gravitational attraction.