How Does Particle Motion in a Negative Inverse Square Potential Evolve?

Join the discussion
Ask a follow-up here, or get your own question answered by working scientists, mathematicians and engineers — people, not an autocomplete.
Real named experts · corrections over time · the nuance an AI answer skips
2 replies · 2K views
stunner5000pt
Messages
1,447
Reaction score
5
For a particle of mass m moving in a potential V(r) = -b/r^2 where the constant b>0 obtain the equation [itex]r = r(\phi}[/itex] of the trajectory for the particular states of motion with total energy E = 0 and angular momenta such that [itex]\frac{L^2}{2m} < b[/itex]
SKetch the trajectory and discuss the motion for
[tex]\dot{r} (t=0) >0[/tex] and
[tex]\dot{r} (t=0) <0[/tex]

Ok so we know that phi and r are related by this equation
[tex]\phi = L \int \frac{1}{r^2 \sqrt{2m(E - V_{e} (r))}} dr + \mbox{constant}[/tex]
here [tex]V_{e} (r) = \frac{-b}{r^2} + \frac{L^2}{2mr^2}[/tex]
also E = 0 so
[tex]\phi = L \int \frac{1}{r^2 \sqrt{2m(\frac{b}{r^2} + \frac{L^2}{2mr^2}}}[/tex]

and integrating we get
[tex]C exp(\phi \frac{\sqrt{2mb - \frac{L^2}{2m}}}{L}}) = r(\phi) = r[/tex]

so far so good?

for the second part
[tex]\dot{r}(t) = \frac{1}{r} \sqrt{\frac{2}{m} (b - \frac{L^2}{2m}}[/tex]
do i need to find explicit expression for r(t) and phi(t) ?
for r' > 0 then r > 0 and phi > 0
for r' < 0 from the relation between r and phi above it does nt look like that could ever be less that zero unless C <0? Do i need to solve for C by the way?

YOur help is always, greatly appreciated!
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
heres the sketch that is missing from the question

thank you for your help!
 

Attachments

  • charge.JPG
    charge.JPG
    7.5 KB · Views: 457
can anyone help!

this is due tomorrow! I need to know if what i have is right... please please help! I am desperate!
Note that i posted it about 4 days in advance