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If they get pulled together by gravity, then that means they have gained kinetic energy and lost no mass, but the law of conservation of energy forbids that!

2006-11-20 09:50:00 · 2 answers · asked by merviedz trespassers 3 in Science & Mathematics Physics

2 answers

First of all, since E = mc^2, you cannot have two massive, energyless bodies. Secondly, by definition, they have a potential energy of
.. R
∫(-GM1M2/R^2)dR, or GM1M2/R
. 0
with respect to each other, so, again, they cannot be energyless.

2006-11-20 10:04:36 · answer #1 · answered by Helmut 7 · 0 0

When you put the two objects in space, you impart upon them some amount of potential energy, and as the move towards each other, the will lose that potential energy and gain kinetic energy.

2006-11-20 17:54:48 · answer #2 · answered by woody_424242 1 · 0 0

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