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w3390
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Homework Statement
Sketch the elliptical and hyperbolic orbits two objects make around each other if their masses are equal. Next to each, sketch the equivalent one-body orbit.
Homework Equations
The Attempt at a Solution
For the elliptical orbit, I just drew two ellipses that overlap in a venn diagram sort of fashion where the center of mass is midway between the two objects.
I am confused about the equivalent one-body orbit. The system can be reduced to a single object of reduced mass [tex]\mu[/tex] but I don't understand how to figure out its path.
For the hyperbolic orbit, wouldn't it just look the same as the elliptical orbit except with a higher eccentricity?
I have the same confusion when trying to deal with the path of the reduced mass in this one too.
If anyone can help clarify to me how I can visualize the sketches, I would greatly appreciate it.