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In physics, and specifically with respect to the theory of general relativity, a gravity well is a distortion in space-time caused by a massive body such as a planet or star. The term is a reference to the 3-dimensional analogy of this phenomenon: an extrusion of an otherwise 2-dimensional sheet. An actual gravity well involves higher-dimensional bending.

The "depth" of a gravity well corresponds to the Δv required to leave -- also known as the escape velocity. Deeper wells require more Δv, and so it is harder for a rocket to escape from them (or to stop at the bottom). Deeper wells also tend to make for more efficient gravitational slingshots.

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	In [[physics]], a '''gravity well''' is a distortion in [[space-time]] caused by a massive body such as a [[planet]]. The term is a reference to the 3-dimensional analogy of this phenomenon: an extrusion of an otherwise 2-dimensional sheet. An actual gravity well involves higher-dimensional bending.		In [[physics]], and specifically with respect to the theory of [[Introduction to general relativity\|general relativity]], a '''gravity well''' is a distortion in [[space-time]] caused by a massive body such as a [[planet]] or [[star]]. The term is a reference to the 3-dimensional analogy of this phenomenon: an extrusion of an otherwise 2-dimensional sheet. An actual gravity well involves higher-dimensional bending.

	The "depth" of a gravity well corresponds to the [[Delta-v\|Δv]] required to leave -- also known as the [[escape velocity]]. Deeper wells require more Δv, and so it is harder for a rocket to escape from them (or to stop at the bottom). Deeper wells also tend to make for more efficient [[gravitational slingshot]]s.		The "depth" of a gravity well corresponds to the [[Delta-v\|Δv]] required to leave -- also known as the [[escape velocity]]. Deeper wells require more Δv, and so it is harder for a rocket to escape from them (or to stop at the bottom). Deeper wells also tend to make for more efficient [[gravitational slingshot]]s.