- #1
KBriggs
- 33
- 0
Hey all
the prof derive the orbit equation for bodies in inverse square fields as:
[tex]r=\frac{a(1-\epsilon^2)}{1+\epsilon\cos(\theta)}[/tex]
Now, I understand how this gives an ellipse for epsilon between 0 and 1, but when epsilon is one, how does this give a parabola? Isn't the equation identically 0 if epsilon = 1?
the prof derive the orbit equation for bodies in inverse square fields as:
[tex]r=\frac{a(1-\epsilon^2)}{1+\epsilon\cos(\theta)}[/tex]
Now, I understand how this gives an ellipse for epsilon between 0 and 1, but when epsilon is one, how does this give a parabola? Isn't the equation identically 0 if epsilon = 1?