Kepler
Inverse Square Force Force can be derived from a potential. < 0 for attractive force Choose constant of integration so V ( ) = 0. m2m2 r1r1 F 2 int r2r2 R m1m1 F 1 int r = r 1 – r 2
Kepler Lagrangian The Lagrangian can be expressed in polar coordinates. L is independent of time. The total energy is a constant of the motion.The total energy is a constant of the motion. Orbit is symmetrical about an apse.Orbit is symmetrical about an apse.
Kepler Orbits The right side of the orbit equation is constant. Equation is integrableEquation is integrable Integration constants: e, 0Integration constants: e, 0 e related to initial energye related to initial energy Phase angle corresponds to orientation.Phase angle corresponds to orientation. The substitution can be reversed to get polar or Cartesian coordinates.
Conic Sections focus r s The orbit equation describes a conic section. init orientation (set to 0) s is the directrix. The constant e is the eccentricity. sets the shape e < 1 ellipse e =1 parabola e >1 hyperbola
Apsidal Position Elliptical orbits have stable apses. Kepler’s first lawKepler’s first law Minimum and maximum values of rMinimum and maximum values of r Other orbits only have a minimumOther orbits only have a minimum The energy is related to e : Set r = r 2, no velocitySet r = r 2, no velocity r s r1r1 r2r2
Angular Momentum The change in area between orbit and focus is dA/dt Related to angular velocityRelated to angular velocity The change is constant due to constant angular momentum. This is Kepler’s 2 nd law r dr
Period and Ellipse The area for the whole ellipse relates to the period. semimajor axis: a=(r 1 +r 2 )/2. This is Kepler’s 3 rd law. Relation holds for all orbits Constant depends on r s r1r1 r2r2
Effective Potential Treat problem as a one dimension only. Just radial r term.Just radial r term. Minimum in potential implies bounded orbits. For > 0, no minimumFor > 0, no minimum For E > 0, unboundedFor E > 0, unbounded V eff 0 r 0 r unbounded possibly bounded