Falling time for a free falling object through large distances

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around calculating the time for a free-falling object in weak gravitational fields, with initial attempts leading to confusing results. The user initially applied gravitational formulas but struggled with integration and the correct application of definite integrals. Other participants provided insights on the need for proper substitutions and integration techniques, referencing previous threads that tackled similar problems, including the motion of two colliding objects. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding non-constant acceleration and offers various methods for solving the integral involved. Overall, the exchange emphasizes collaborative problem-solving in physics, particularly in complex gravitational scenarios.
Vicara
Messages
38
Reaction score
4
Well, first of all i want to apologize about my english skills hahaha
I have been trying to calculate a time formula for free falling object through large distances (or weak gravitational fields) and my results don´t have much sense (I test my results in a quite realistic game called Algodoo)
What I have calculated is

g(r) = G⋅(M/r2) and as g = dv/dt = dv/dr ⋅ dr/dv = dv/dr ⋅ v

we got

∫v⋅dv = ∫G⋅M/r2 = 0.5⋅v2 = G⋅M⋅(-1/r)

v(r) = √(2⋅G⋅M⋅(-1/r)) = dr/dt now we integrate both sides ∫dt = ∫1/[ √(2⋅G⋅M⋅(-1/r) ] ⋅dr

and finally

t = t0 + (2/3)⋅√(r3/-2⋅G⋅M)

Please tell me what is wrong or if what i´m doing makes sense
Thanks!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
First, sign: a = -GM/r2: acceleration is towards the mass.
Second, you need a definite integral: ∫-G⋅M/r2 = GM(1/r - 1/r0)
 
mjc123 said:
First, sign: a = -GM/r2: acceleration is towards the mass.
Second, you need a definite integral: ∫-G⋅M/r2 = GM(1/r - 1/r0)

Well, I have done that and now i have something that I don't know how to integrate (I´m actually not very good at calculus)

https://ibb.co/dhztfv

Sorry for the photo :/
 
There are a few old threads about this. Note that these threads are considering the time it takes for two objects to collide (both objects accelerate towards each other), but it seems they have similar intermediate formula for velocity, M for the one object case, (m1+m2) for the two object case. For the 2 object case, if m1 >> m2, then the sum (m1+m2) ~= m1, so let M = m1. Some of these consider point objects others consider objects with non-zero radius.

See post #11 for a Kepler's law approach and post #19 for the approach used here:

Non constant accelleration equation(s)

Using a different substitution here, and also allowing for non-zero radius objects:

Rectilinear motion of two attracting masses

See post #66, #68, and #73 for examples of both substitutions:

time-of-a-falling-object-when-the-force-of-gravity-isnt-constant
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Likes Vicara
rcgldr said:
There are a few old threads about this. Note that these threads are considering the time it takes for two objects to collide (both objects accelerate towards each other), but it seems they have similar intermediate formula for velocity, M for the one object case, (m1+m2) for the two object case. For the 2 object case, if m1 >> m2, then the sum (m1+m2) ~= m1, so let M = m1. Some of these consider point objects others consider objects with non-zero radius.

Non constant accelleration equation(s)

Using a different substitution here, and also allowing for non-zero radius objects:

Rectilinear motion of two attracting masses

See post #66, #68, and #73 for examples of both substitutions:

time-of-a-falling-object-when-the-force-of-gravity-isnt-constant
Oh, thanks! :bow:

Now I will spend a few hours trying to understand that hahaha but I´m sure that it will be worth :D
 
rcgldr said:
There are a few old threads about this. Note that these threads are considering the time it takes for two objects to collide (both objects accelerate towards each other), but it seems they have similar intermediate formula for velocity, M for the one object case, (m1+m2) for the two object case. For the 2 object case, if m1 >> m2, then the sum (m1+m2) ~= m1, so let M = m1. Some of these consider point objects others consider objects with non-zero radius.

See post #11 for a Kepler's law approach and post #19 for the approach used here:

Non constant accelleration equation(s)

Using a different substitution here, and also allowing for non-zero radius objects:

Rectilinear motion of two attracting masses

See post #66, #68, and #73 for examples of both substitutions:

time-of-a-falling-object-when-the-force-of-gravity-isnt-constant
Hi again
There is something that I don't understand in the solution of the problem (the part after "using arildno's method") which integrating method did you use to solve sqrt (r/r0-r) dr?
 
I guess you have the integral
$$I=\int \mathrm{d} r \sqrt{\frac{r}{r_0-r}}.$$
Let's try the substitution
$$r=r_0 \cos^2 u.$$
Then you have
$$\mathrm{d} r= -2r_0 \sin u \cos u$$
and thus
$$I=-2r_0 \int \mathrm{d}u \cos^2 u.$$
Now we have
$$\cos(2u)=\cos^2 u - \sin^2 u=2 \cos^2 u-1 \; \Rightarrow \; \cos^2 u=\frac{1+\cos(2u)}{2}$$
and thus
$$I=-r_0 \left [u+\frac{1}{2}\sin(2 u) \right]=-r_0 (u+\sin u \cos u)=-r_0 \left [\arccos \left (\sqrt{r/r_0} \right)+\sqrt{(r/r_0-r^2/r_0^2)} \right].$$
 
  • Like
Likes Vicara
vanhees71 said:
I guess you have the integral
$$I=\int \mathrm{d} r \sqrt{\frac{r}{r_0-r}}.$$
Let's try the substitution
$$r=r_0 \cos^2 u.$$
Then you have
$$\mathrm{d} r= -2r_0 \sin u \cos u$$
and thus
$$I=-2r_0 \int \mathrm{d}u \cos^2 u.$$
Now we have
$$\cos(2u)=\cos^2 u - \sin^2 u=2 \cos^2 u-1 \; \Rightarrow \; \cos^2 u=\frac{1+\cos(2u)}{2}$$
and thus
$$I=-r_0 \left [u+\frac{1}{2}\sin(2 u) \right]=-r_0 (u+\sin u \cos u)=-r_0 \left [\arccos \left (\sqrt{r/r_0} \right)+\sqrt{(r/r_0-r^2/r_0^2)} \right].$$
ohhhh, okey, now i got it hahaha
Thanks to all ^^
 
Vicara said:
There is something that I don't understand in the solution of the problem (the part after "using arildno's method") which integrating method did you use to solve sqrt (r/r0-r) dr?
The prior threads showed two different substitutions. The arildno substitution is:

$$u = \sqrt{\frac{r}{r_0-r}}$$

That post then solves for r and then takes dr to end up with:

$$dr = \frac{2 r_0 u \ du}{(1 + u^2)^2}$$

This results in :

$$\sqrt{\frac{r}{r_0-r}}\ dr = \frac{2 r_0 u^2 \ du}{(1 + u^2)^2}$$
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Likes vanhees71
Back
Top