Recent content by peter456

i made a mistake, it's really: (1/6)tan^2(o/2) + (1/2)tan(o/2) = t

Sorry i made a mistake, it' really: (1/6)tan^2(o/2) + (1/2)tan(o/2) = t

o = theta how the hell do you rearrange for o? (1/6)tan^2(o/2) + (1/2)tan^2(o/2) = t

This is extremely messy. o = theta how the hell do you rearrange for o? (1/6)tan^2(o/2) + (1/2)tan^2(o/2) = t this is crazy!

i really need nelp!

Well since we know the total energy is zero, we know the orbit of the test particle will be a parabola. So using we polar coordinates we have: r = L/[1 + cos(theta)] plugging, r=1 at theta = 0 (at closest approach, i think, this part i aint sure about) we get L equals 2. Hence: r = 2/[1...

Yeh correct, i tihink I'm suppose to use ideas from Newton, rather than Keplers. I think they want the position as a function of time, i.e x(t) and y(t).

help anyone?

i've calculated an equation which describes the motion of the test particle, not sure if it's correct though. 4(1 - x) = y^2, the problem is it's a sideways parabola which doesn't make sense since the particle is released from above with the central mass below it. If this equation was correct...

I'm thinking the orbit will be a parabola because the energy is zero, not too sure. As for the angular momentum i don't know?

could you please start me off because i am completely baffled with this question.

yeh i know what keplers laws are, i just don't really understnad how to apply them to this case, where do i start? what do you mean use polar coordinates?

yes it has negligible mass, i just don't understand the question. Apparently I'm supposed to find the equation of the particles position as a function of time.

Homework Statement 1. Determine the motion of single test particle (zero mass) falling from infinity as a function of time passing a unit distance from a central mass. (Zero total energy case of Keplerian motion.) Homework Equations I'm completely stuck The Attempt at a...