# Classical mechanics: orbits, force, potential

rmfw

## Homework Statement

a particle of mass m moves on the orbit $r= a cos(θ), a>0$.

Find the force acting on the particle

## The Attempt at a Solution

I had this formula in my notebook:

$U(r)= E-(L^2/2mr^2)(1+(1/r^2)(dr/dθ)^2)$

Using it I got $U(r)=E-L^2a^2/2mr^4$

and $F(r)=-dU/dr= (-5L^2a^2/2mr^5) \overline{r}$

I would really appreciate if someone could confirm my result. I can't find other way to solve it but something smells fishy. Thanks!

edit: I will detail it a bit more

This is how I got the result

$dr/dθ=-a sen(θ)$
$(dr/dθ)^2= a^2 sen(θ)^2 = a^2(1-cos(θ)^2)=(a^2-r^2)$, then I just plugged this on the formula I'v written.

Last edited:

## Answers and Replies

Mentor
The final result should not depend on the particle, so L and a should not be there. And you can remove the E, the offset of the potential does not matter.
A 1/r^4-potential looks good. I'm not sure about the 4, but we had a similar problem here a while ago, and I think it was 4.

Edit: This is the reverse problem

rmfw
The final result should not depend on the particle, so L and a should not be there.
Edit: This is the reverse problem

How can I make them disappear?

Mentor
Find a in terms of L for your particle (or vice versa), put it there. That might lead to one parameter you cannot solve for, then let this stay unknown.

rmfw
Find a in terms of L for your particle (or vice versa), put it there. That might lead to one parameter you cannot solve for, then let this stay unknown.

I'm sorry but I'm not very good at this, can you provide me some equations that I should focus on to get such result? And I still don't understand what do you mean with "you can remove E", wouldn't that give a different result to the potential?

Mentor
I'm sorry but I'm not very good at this, can you provide me some equations that I should focus on to get such result?
Hmm, I guess this is not necessary. You probably get a circle for every constant prefactor of the potential. Just invent a new variable for L^2 a^2 /(2m).

And I still don't understand what do you mean with "you can remove E", wouldn't that give a different result to the potential?
If two potentials differ by a constant, they lead to the same forces and therefore the same physics. Therefore, any added constant in the potential is arbitrary. You can simply remove it to make the formula shorter.

rmfw
So what you are saying is, for example:

$κ=L^2 a^2/2m$

and so:

$U(r)=-κ/r^4$
and
$F(r)=-κ/r^5$

Also, help for finding the particle energy and angular momentum knowing that velocity= V when r=a, please.

Mentor
Also, help for finding the particle energy and angular momentum knowing that velocity= V when r=a, please.
What is the kinetic energy of a particle with velocity V? The potential energy is just given by your potential. For angular momentum, you have to find the angle between particle velocity and r.

1 person
rmfw
Can i assume that when r=a r and v are perpendicular and thus L= amV ?

Mentor
r=a r does not make sense. v and r are perpendicular when the radius is maximal.

rmfw
I should have separated the sentence with a comma. I didn't meant r=a r, I meant r and v are perpendicular when r=a, which is the maximum radius like you said. Thanks !