Converting effective potential to dimensionless function

[Emspak]

Homework Statement

Convert the effective potential to a dimensionless function by scaling to the radius of a circular orbit.

Homework Equations

$U_{eff}(r) = - \frac{k}{r}+ \frac{L^2}{2mr^2}$
$\frac{U_{eff}}{U_0} = -\frac{2}{r / r_0} + \frac {1}{(r/r_0)^2}$
$r_0= \frac{L^2}{mk}$, $U_0= \frac{k}{2r_0}$

The Attempt at a Solution

I would love to try solving this, but unfortunately I can't decipher what the question actually is. What does "scaling to the radius of a circular orbit" mean, in this case?

 

[Chestermiller]

Homework Statement

Convert the effective potential to a dimensionless function by scaling to the radius of a circular orbit.

Homework Equations

$U_{eff}(r) = - \frac{k}{r}+ \frac{L^2}{2mr^2}$
$\frac{U_{eff}}{U_0} = -\frac{2}{r / r_0} + \frac {1}{(r/r_0)^2}$
$r_0= \frac{L^2}{mk}$, $U_0= \frac{k}{2r_0}$

The Attempt at a Solution

I would love to try solving this, but unfortunately I can't decipher what the question actually is. What does "scaling to the radius of a circular orbit" mean, in this case?

In the equation for the potential, one of the terms represents repulsion and the other term represents attraction. Scaling this problem like this reduces the number of parameters involved from 5 to 2. This boils the equation down to its bare essence. Solving problems in terms of dimensionless variables often simplifies the compilation of the results, and often also reduces the algebraic complexity and the potential for making typos.

 

[Emspak]

OK, so I'm supposed to do what exactly? Again, I can't figure out what the prof wants me to actually DO to it.

I'm sorry. Pretend I am a retarded marmoset taking physics. :-)

EDIT: I'm not asking for anyone to solve this for me-- I just want to understand what action I am supposed to take.

 

[Chestermiller]

OK, so I'm supposed to do what exactly? Again, I can't figure out what the prof wants me to actually DO to it.

I'm sorry. Pretend I am a retarded marmoset taking physics. :-)

EDIT: I'm not asking for anyone to solve this for me-- I just want to understand what action I am supposed to take.

You already did what you are supposed to do.

Chet

 

[Emspak]

Dude, not meaning to be a jerk or anything, but the Zen koan doesn't help me see what's happening here. It's a bit frustrating. He wants me to make it dimensionless, and maybe my being up all night is clouding my reasoning. Or maybe the whole thing is a lot simpler than it looks.

 

[Chestermiller]

Dude, not meaning to be a jerk or anything, but the Zen koan doesn't help me see what's happening here. It's a bit frustrating. He wants me to make it dimensionless, and maybe my being up all night is clouding my reasoning. Or maybe the whole thing is a lot simpler than it looks.

I think he might have wanted you to substitute your expression for r₀ into your equation for U₀:
$$U_0=\frac{m}{2}\left(\frac{k}{L}\right)^2$$

This eliminates U₀ so that
$$\frac{u}{U_0}=\frac{2U}{m}\left(\frac{L}{k}\right)^2$$