MISN-0-501

CENTRAL FORCE MOTION

Classical Mechanics
Project PHYSNET Physics Bldg. Michigan State University East Lansing, MI

CENTRAL FORCE MOTION by C. P. Frahm 1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 2. Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 3. Conic Sections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Acknowledgments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

ID Sheet: MISN-0-501 THIS IS A DEVELOPMENTAL-STAGE PUBLICATION OF PROJECT PHYSNET The goal of our project is to assist a network of educators and scientists in transferring physics from one person to another. We support manuscript processing and distribution, along with communication and information systems. We also work with employers to identify basic scientic skills as well as physics topics that are needed in science and technology. A number of our publications are aimed at assisting users in acquiring such skills. Our publications are designed: (i) to be updated quickly in response to eld tests and new scientic developments; (ii) to be used in both classroom and professional settings; (iii) to show the prerequisite dependencies existing among the various chunks of physics knowledge and skill, as a guide both to mental organization and to use of the materials; and (iv) to be adapted quickly to specic user needs ranging from single-skill instruction to complete custom textbooks. New authors, reviewers and eld testers are welcome. PROJECT STAFF Andrew Schnepp Eugene Kales Peter Signell Webmaster Graphics Project Director

Title: Central Force Motion Author: C. P. Frahm, Physics Dept., Illinois State Univ Version: 2/1/2000 Length: 2 hr; 12 pages Input Skills: 1. For a given mechanical system use Lagranges equations to obtain the equations of motion for the system (MISN-0-498). Output Skills (Knowledge): K1. For arbitrary central force motion (a) determine the expression for the Lagrangian in terms of center of mass and relative coordinates, using the reduced mass concept. (b) Determine the rst integrals of motion and the generalized form of Keplers second law. (c) Determine the dierential equation for r as a function of angle. (d) Dene turning points and eective potentials and explain how turning points can be determined from a graph of the eective potential. K2. For planetary like motion obtain the general equation of the orbit and classify the orbits in terms of conic sections as a function of the energy. Include denitions and/or explanations. K3. Derive Keplers third law for planetary like motion. Output Skills (Problem Solving): S1. Given a particular central force describe qualitatively the orbit using a graph of eective potential. Set up and solve the dierential equation for the orbit. Evaluation: Stage B0

ADVISORY COMMITTEE D. Alan Bromley E. Leonard Jossem A. A. Strassenburg Yale University The Ohio State University S. U. N. Y., Stony Brook

Views expressed in a module are those of the module author(s) and are not necessarily those of other project participants. c 2001, Peter Signell for Project PHYSNET, Physics-Astronomy Bldg., Mich. State Univ., E. Lansing, MI 48824; (517) 355-3784. For our liberal use policies see: http://www.physnet.org/home/modules/license.html.

MISN-0-501

MISN-0-501

CENTRAL FORCE MOTION by C. P. Frahm 1. Introduction

There are two types of motion which play especially important roles in classical as well as quantum) mechanics - harmonic motion and centralforce motion. Harmonic motion was covered in units 5 and 6 using Newtons laws of motion. Central-force motion has been reserved for this unit to illustrate the use of the Lagrangian formulation. All of the results of this unit can be obtained, of course, without recourse to the Lagrangian formulation. In fact you may have obtained them in a previous mechanics course. If that is the case, this unit will serve as a review of central-force motion as well as an example of the application of the Lagrangian technique.

Read section 8.9 and the rst two paragraphs of section 8.10 in Marion. You are not responsible for this material, but it is worth reading through one time. 3. Work problems 8-4, 8-13, 8-14, 8-15 and 8-23 in Marion.

3. Conic Sections
A1l conic sections can be represented by the single mathematical expression = 1 + cos , r where r and are radial and angular variables respectively while and are constants: = eccentricity, = semi-latus rectum. The name conic section comes from the observation that these curves are precisely those obtained as the perimeters of slices (or sections) through a right circular cone. 1. ellipse - the locus of points for which the sum of the distances from two xed points (F , F = foci) is a constant (see Fig. 1). By denition for any point P on the ellipse: r + r = 2Q = constant. Inspection of the gure then shows that OV = F B = a = semimajor axis, and V V = 2a = major axis = intervertical distance. For convenience let: b = OB = semiminor axis, = interfocal distance. Then inspection of the gure again shows that OF = a ,
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2. Procedures
1. a. Read sections 8.1 and 8.2 of Marion. Exercise: Fill in the details leading to eq. 8.4 of Marion. b. Read section 8.3 of Marion. Exercise: Fill in any missing details in the analysis leading to eqs. 8.7, 8.10, 8.12 and 8.14 of Marion. c. Read section 8.4 of Marion. Exercise: Fill in any missing details in the analysis leading to eqs. 8.17 and 8.20. d. Read sections 8.5 and 8.6 of Marion. 2. Read section 8.7 of Marion. Note that a and b are generally called the semi-major and semi-minor axes while 2a and 2b are called the major and minor axes. Exercise: Fill in any missing details in the analysis leading to eq. 8.39 and 8.41. Review the denitions and properties of conic sections (as needed) by working through Sect. 3. Exercise: Fill in any missing details in the analysis leading to eqs. 8.42 - 8.44 and 8.48.
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MISN-0-501

P r' V' F' r F q V F B

Figure 1. . b=a 1
2

P r q V

To determine the equation of the ellipse note that the denition gives: (r )2 = (2a r)2 = 4a2 4ar + r 2 , while the law of cosines gives (r )2 = r2 + 4a2
2

Figure 2. . 2. parabola - the locus of points equidistant from a straight line (D = directrix) and a point (F = focus) (see Fig. 2). For convenience let a = FV = V O . 2 Then from the gure for any point P on the parabola r + r cos = a , a = 1 + cos . r This is the equation of a conic section with an eccentricity of 1 and with = a = semi-latus rectum. Letting = /2, shows that FA = . 3. hyperbola - the locus of points for which the dierence between the distances from two xed points (F , F = foci) is a constant (see Fig. 3).
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2(2a )r cos( ) ,
2

= r2 + 4a2

+ 4a r cos .

Equating these and rearranging gives a(1 r

2

= 1 + cos . so that

This is the equation of a conic section with = eccentricity (justifying the earlier choice of notation) = a(1
2

) = semi-latus rectum .

Letting = /2 in the equation of the ellipse and consulting the gure reveals that FA = .

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MISN-0-501

Acknowledgments
The author would like to thank Illinois State University for support in the construction of this lesson. Preparation of this module was supported in part by the National Science Foundation, Division of Science Education Development and Research, through Grant #SED 74-20088 to Michigan State University.

P r F q V O r' F'

Figure 3. . By denition for any point P on the hyperbola r r = 2a = constant. Inspection of the gure then shows that OV = a . As in the case of the ellipse it is convenient to dene = interfocal distance . intervertical distance

The denition of a hyperbola then gives (r )2 = (2a + r)2 = 4a2 + 4ar + r 2 , which with the law of cosines gives (r )2 = r2 + 4a2 Equating and rearranging yields a(
2 2

4(4a )r cos .

1) = 1 + cos . r
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