AnniB
Feb2-11, 09:55 AM
1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
Beginning with the kinetic and potential energies of two objects with masses m1 and m2, show that the total energy of a binary system is given by:
E=\frac{1}{2}\muv2 - G\frac{M\mu}{r}
2. Relevant equations
The one given
K =\frac{1}{2}mv2
U = G\frac{Mm}{r}
3. The attempt at a solution
I feel like this should be more of an explanation answer than much of an actual derivation, but I'm not sure if my logic follows correctly.
Assuming that both objects are orbiting in a circle around their common center of mass, both objects will have a radius r and a velocity v (since at any given orbit distance all objects have the same velocity - unless I'm remembering that wrong?). Because of this, we can treat the two masses as one mass revolving about the center of mass at the same r and v, and thus all you have to do is plug the reduced mass \mu into the initial expression for total energy of a system, which would give you the equation from the problem.
Beginning with the kinetic and potential energies of two objects with masses m1 and m2, show that the total energy of a binary system is given by:
E=\frac{1}{2}\muv2 - G\frac{M\mu}{r}
2. Relevant equations
The one given
K =\frac{1}{2}mv2
U = G\frac{Mm}{r}
3. The attempt at a solution
I feel like this should be more of an explanation answer than much of an actual derivation, but I'm not sure if my logic follows correctly.
Assuming that both objects are orbiting in a circle around their common center of mass, both objects will have a radius r and a velocity v (since at any given orbit distance all objects have the same velocity - unless I'm remembering that wrong?). Because of this, we can treat the two masses as one mass revolving about the center of mass at the same r and v, and thus all you have to do is plug the reduced mass \mu into the initial expression for total energy of a system, which would give you the equation from the problem.