Understanding the Orbit of Kapler's Law and its Relation to Potential Energy

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the interpretation of Kapler's Law in relation to potential energy and particle motion. Participants clarify that the orbit described in question 3(b) of the provided homework file results in straight-line motion due to the problem's stipulation of movement along the x and y axes. The potential energy approaches negative infinity as particles approach r=0, contradicting the initial assumption of positive infinity. Additionally, the distinction between attractive forces in different potential energy scenarios is highlighted, specifically contrasting the gravitational law with positive potential functions.

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  • Understanding of Kapler's Law and its implications in physics.
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  • Knowledge of gravitational laws and their mathematical representations.
  • Ability to interpret physics problem statements accurately.
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  • Explore the implications of Kapler's Law in various gravitational contexts.
  • Study the mathematical derivation of potential energy in different force fields.
  • Investigate the behavior of particles under varying potential energy conditions.
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Cosmossos
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Hello,
In question 3(b) in the following file
http://phstudy.technion.ac.il/~wn114101/hw/wn2010_hw09.pdf

Why the orbit will be a straight line?
I think that when the particles are coming to r=0 the potential will be infinity, isn't that so?
So the energy will be infinity and e will be infinity... please help me...
thank you

AND ONE MORE THING: if the potential is a/r^2 (>0) then then the two objects will attract each other, right? But in the Gravitational law (-Gm1m2/r^2) the potential is <0 and the objects will attract to each other
 
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Cosmossos said:
Hello,
In question 3(b) in the following file
http://phstudy.technion.ac.il/~wn114101/hw/wn2010_hw09.pdf

Why the orbit will be a straight line?
The problem statement explicitly states the particles move "on the x direction" and "on the y direction". Presumably they mean on the x and y axes; it is not worded quite properly but I can't imagine it meaning anything else.

So, each particle moves in straight line simply because the problem statement says that they do. What would actually cause this to happen is not important.

I think that when the particles are coming to r=0 the potential will be infinity, isn't that so?
No, it would be negative infinity in this example.
 
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