1. May 12, 2012

Trifis

I think the title is self-explanatory. The first theorem states that gravitational forces (1/r potentials in general) are able to produce stable orbits, whereas the second excludes stability! Can somebody help me to clear this out?

2. May 12, 2012

A.T.

Earnshaw's theorem talks about static configurations.

3. May 12, 2012

Trifis

In Earnshaw's theorem there is not a minimum for the potential. In Bertrand's theorem close orbits are excecuted around a point of stability (like the oscillation).

I need something more elaborate please.

4. May 13, 2012

A.T.

static = no movement
orbits = movement

5. May 13, 2012

Trifis

When an orbit has a stable point then the particle can as well stay at this point point forever without losing its dynamical stability.

6. May 13, 2012

A.T.

To contradict Earnshaw all involved particles have to remain static, not just a single one. It applies only to point masses/charges which cannot occupy the same point in space.

7. May 13, 2012

Jasso

Specifically, Earnshaw's Theorem states that in a static situation for pointlike particles, a 1/r potential does not have any maxima or minina (stable points) in an unoccupied region, since the sources themselves occupy space. When dynamics are added into the mix, there is an effective potential from the angular component which pushes away from the source and falls off as 1/r2. For example, with gravity, the potential is a combination of angular repulsion ($\frac{1}{2}\frac{mh^2}{r^2}$) and gravitational attraction ($\frac{GMm}{r}$), which gives a total potential of $U=\frac{1}{2}\frac{mh^2}{r^2} - \frac{GMm}{r}$, and a minimum at $r=\frac{h^2}{GM}$.

(h is angular momentum per mass)

Last edited: May 13, 2012
8. May 27, 2012

Trifis

Ok therefore it is the extra angular movement which provides the stability of the ORBIT and cannot be found in the static case.

On second thought it can be said that since Earnshaw applies only on 1/r forces (my oscillation argumantion was thereby false) there weren't any equilibrium states Kepler-like orbits first place to debate on in the first place ...

Last edited: May 27, 2012
9. Dec 20, 2013

mathnerd15

so since Laplace says that there can be no local extrema then a charge at the center of a cube with charges at the 6 corners cannot be in electrostatic equilibrium since then U would be at a minimum? if the potential is like a saddle point for the center charge in a cube then in the xz plane it is at a max and yz it is at a minimum at the same time? (do you calculate the potential by superposition to find the saddle point?)
how do you know that the charge leaks out of every face of the cube?