- #1
Moolisa
- 20
- 5
- Homework Statement
- How would an FBD of the following look like?
Using elementary newtonian mechanics, find the period of mass m1 in a circular orbit of radius r around a fixed mass m2
- Relevant Equations
- Centripetal force, Gravitational force
I've solved this problem, I know you equal centripetal force with gravitational force, then rearrange for velocity to find T. My answer is the same as the one in the back of the book. But then I started thinking about it and don't know why they are equal to each other. Arent the forces in the same direction? Centripetal force is directed towards m2(the fixed mass at the center) right? Am I forgetting something fundamental to orbiting bodies?
To be clear, the FBD part isn't in the actual problem, so if this question doesn't make sense/is faulty, that would be why
To be clear, the FBD part isn't in the actual problem, so if this question doesn't make sense/is faulty, that would be why