Small-slope particle motion on a height graph ($\ddot{\mathbf{r}}\simeq -g\nabla h$)

A particle constrained to the graph $z=h(x,y)$ has kinetic energy $m[|\dot{\mathbf{r}}{|}^2+(\nabla h\cdot \dot{\mathbf{r}}{)}^2]/2$ and potential energy $mgh$. For a gently varying graph and velocities for which its geometric kinetic correction is higher order, the leading Euler-Lagrange equations are the displayed planar gradient-force equations. Small slope alone at arbitrarily large speed or curvature does not justify discarding the normal inertial acceleration. For a radial height, the leading planar angular momentum is conserved, allowing an effective potential reduction.

For the height profile $h(r)=r^{-2}-r^{-1}$, set $A=L^2+2g$ and use the planar small-slope model. Its effective potential per unit mass is $V_{\mathrm{eff}}=A/(2r^2)-g/r$. Release with negligible radial speed at $r_0$ gives $\mathcal{E}=A/(2r_0^2)-g/r_0$ and the displayed radial-speed law. A bounded trajectory requires $\mathcal{E}<0$, equivalently $r_0>A/(2g)$. The two positive turning radii are $r_0$ and $A{r}_0/(2g{r}_0-A)$; they coincide at the circular solution $r_0=A/g$. Zero energy is marginal escape, not bounded motion.