Earth’s Journey Around The Sun

In summary, the Earth has two extreme distances from the sun, apogee and perigee, which are the minimum and maximum distances respectively. However, there should be four extreme distances between the sun and the Earth: a pair of opposite minimums and a pair of opposite maximums. To achieve balance, there must be a center of mass between the sun and the Earth, which also serves as the center of force. The angle of rotation for both objects remains the same, causing them to oscillate around the same center. If the trajectory is assumed to be a perfect circle, doubling the force at one point results in the same trajectory as adding half the force on one side and the opposite half on the other. This means that the
  • #1
deda
185
0
Currently the Earth has two extreme distances from the sun: Apogee and Perigee (one minimal, one maximal). Shouldn’t there be four extreme distances between the sun and the earth: pair of opposite minimums and pair of opposite maximums? Both the sun and the Earth have mass. So, there must be center of mass between them. I find the center of force at the same position. The system can be balanced only if that center is immovable. Statically, the condition for balance makes the ratio of their forces inverse the ratio of their distances from that center. The center also must be between them. The angle of rotation must be same for both and its makes the two oscillate around same center. Assume their trajectories are perfect circles. Now let's double the force at one point. It will be same as if we added only half of the force at that side and opposite half on the other side. What matters is that we added force only in one direction. Its component with normal direction remained the same. So the trajectory must have pair of opposite minimal and maximal extremes i.e. the trajectory must be an ellipse with same center as the center of force.

The way Kepler solves the trajectory using Newton’s laws makes the forces strangely variable, which I find hard to explain because of absence of balance. Here is an example proving that Kepler’s solution doesn’t hold: Dig a tunnel through the Earth all the way from the North Pole to the South Pole. Drop one object from distance H. The extreme distance on the other side will be -H from the center of earth. Now repeat the whole thing again but this time input additional force at the drop point (you would prefer me to say drop it with initial speed). The extreme distance on south will be bigger than the initial one north but on return the extreme distance north will equalize with the south one. It’ll only seem as if you’ve dropped it from bigger distance without the additional force input. Point made.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
The Earth's orbit (neglecting miniscule corrections due to the moon and other planets) is an ellipse with the sun at one focus. The ends of the major axis of this ellipse are the minimum and maximum respectively.
 

What is Earth's journey around the sun?

Earth's journey around the sun is the annual movement of our planet in its orbit around the sun. It takes approximately 365.25 days for Earth to complete one revolution around the sun.

What causes Earth's journey around the sun?

Earth's journey around the sun is caused by the gravitational pull of the sun. The sun's massive size and gravity keep our planet in a constant orbit, while also affecting the other planets in our solar system.

How does Earth's journey around the sun affect our seasons?

Earth's journey around the sun is responsible for the changing of seasons. As Earth orbits around the sun, its axis is tilted at a 23.5 degree angle, resulting in different parts of the planet receiving more or less direct sunlight at different times of the year.

How long has Earth been journeying around the sun?

Earth has been journeying around the sun for approximately 4.54 billion years. This is the estimated age of our planet and the length of time it has taken for Earth to complete one revolution around the sun since its formation.

Will Earth's journey around the sun ever change?

Earth's journey around the sun is constantly changing, but not significantly. The gravitational pull of other planets and celestial bodies can slightly alter Earth's orbit, but the changes are so small that they do not have a significant impact on our planet's journey around the sun.

Similar threads

  • Other Physics Topics
Replies
17
Views
2K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
2
Views
591
  • Other Physics Topics
Replies
7
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
584
Replies
4
Views
712
Replies
3
Views
958
Replies
17
Views
2K
  • Science Fiction and Fantasy Media
Replies
14
Views
2K
  • Special and General Relativity
Replies
20
Views
2K
Back
Top