Centrifugal term in mechanical energy in gravitation

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the effective potential in Newtonian gravitation, specifically the centrifugal term represented as $$U_{centrifugal}=\frac{L^2}{2\mu r^2}$$. This term acts as an angular momentum barrier, preventing a planet from colliding with a star by ensuring that as the radius (r) decreases, the angular velocity ($$\dot{θ}$$) increases disproportionately. The relationship between kinetic energy and potential energy is crucial, as the total energy must remain negative for a bound state, indicating that the potential energy exceeds the kinetic energy. The discussion emphasizes the importance of analyzing the total potential and kinetic energy rather than comparing individual terms.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Newtonian gravitation principles
  • Familiarity with the concept of effective potential
  • Knowledge of angular momentum and its conservation
  • Basic proficiency in mathematical physics, particularly in handling equations of motion
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the concept of effective potential in more depth, focusing on gravitational systems
  • Explore angular momentum conservation in various physical contexts
  • Learn about the graphical representation of potential and kinetic energy in bound systems
  • Investigate the implications of centrifugal forces in orbital mechanics
USEFUL FOR

Students and researchers in physics, particularly those focusing on classical mechanics, orbital dynamics, and gravitational systems. This discussion is beneficial for anyone seeking to understand the role of centrifugal forces in preventing collisions in celestial mechanics.

Soren4
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I'm studying effective potential in Newtonian gravitation. The mechanical energy of a body can be written
$$E=\frac{1}{2}\mu {\dot{r}}^2+\frac{L^2}{2\mu r^2}-\gamma \frac{m M}{r^2} \tag{1}$$

Where \mu is the reduced mass of the system planet-star.

Consider now the term $$U_{centrifugal}=\frac{L^2}{2\mu r^2}$$
I don't understand this explanation found on Morin.
The L^2/2mr^2 term in the effective potential is sometimes called the angular momentum barrier.It has the effect of keeping the particle from getting too close to the origin.Basically, the point is that L ≡ mr^2\dot{ θ} is constant, so as r gets smaller, \dot{θ} gets bigger. But \dot{θ} increases at a greater rate than r decreases, due to the square of the r in L=mr^2\dot{ θ}. So eventually we end up with a tangential kinetic energy, mr^2\dot{ θ}^2/2, that is greater than what is allowed by conservation of energy.

Why mr^2\dot{ θ}^2/2 is greater than maximum KE allowed by conservation of energy in this case?

In general how does U_{centrifugal} prevent the planet to collide with the star (provided the planet has non zero angular momentum)?
 
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Soren4 said:
Why mr2˙θ2/2mr2θ˙2/2mr^2\dot{ θ}^2/2 is greater than maximum KE allowed by conservation of energy in this case?

do not compare the two terms , rather one should compare the total potential and the kinetic energy - and for a bound state the total energy should be negative that id the potential energy should be greater than the kinetic energy.-or plot the graph of potential + centrifugal term and see that the bound state energy is -ve.

Soren4 said:
In general how does UcentrifugalUcentrifugalU_{centrifugal} prevent the planet to collide with the star (provided the planet has non zero angular momentum)?

if you look at the above potential energy plot you will see the barrier as its positive and goes to infinity as r goes to minimum distance of approach. say r0.
 

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