General equation of motion with gravitational field

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SUMMARY

The general equation of motion for an object in a gravitational field is fundamentally linked to the central force problem, specifically the Kepler problem in Newtonian mechanics. To accurately describe the trajectory of an object under gravitational influence, one requires 12 initial values, including 2 initial positions and 2 initial velocities, each comprising three components. This framework allows for precise calculations of motion in gravitational fields, essential for understanding free fall and launch dynamics.

PREREQUISITES
  • Newtonian mechanics
  • Kepler problem
  • Initial value problems in physics
  • Vector components in motion analysis
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  • Study the mathematical formulation of the Kepler problem
  • Explore Newton's laws of motion in gravitational contexts
  • Learn about initial value problems in differential equations
  • Investigate vector calculus applications in physics
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Physics students, aerospace engineers, and anyone interested in the dynamics of motion under gravitational fields will benefit from this discussion.

Jhenrique
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I was studying the equations of free fall and of launch when I realize that those equations are spetial case of a object in motion through of a gravitational field. So exist some general equation that describe the motion (the trajetory*) of the object through of the field (using initial values like moment, velocity, position, direction, mass, gravity, distance, etc)?

* Illustration:
attachment.php?attachmentid=70234&stc=1&d=1401666592.png
 

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There certainly are...this is just the central force problem (actually it's the Kepler problem) in Newtonian mechanics. You need 12 initial value data, 2 initial positions, and 2 initial velocities (each of which have 3 components).

See here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kepler_problem
 

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