How long for 2 particles to collide due to gravity?

  • Thread starter Thread starter thecommexokid
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Gravity Particles
Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The problem involves two particles with masses m1 and m2 that are released from rest a distance D apart in space, and the goal is to determine the time until they collide due to gravitational attraction. The discussion revolves around gravitational forces, center of mass, and energy conservation principles.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss using gravitational force equations and energy conservation to analyze the motion of the particles. Some suggest comparing kinetic and potential energy, while others focus on the acceleration of each particle and the resulting differential equations. There is also mention of integrating to find time to collision and exploring the implications of mass ratios on the motion.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with various approaches being explored. Some participants have provided guidance on setting up equations and integrating, while others express uncertainty about the complexity of the resulting integrals. There is no explicit consensus on a single method or solution yet.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that this problem has been previously discussed in the forum, and there are challenges related to the complexity of the differential equations involved. Some mention constraints related to homework policies and the difficulty of finding a straightforward solution.

  • #31
yeah... hopefully he will be back soon. I am curious about this 'original method'. I cannot guess how it would work from the short description you gave.

edit: I mean, that I can substitute r with u and dr with du. But then the integral it gives is not any nicer at first glance (maybe my brain works differently to whoever did the original method). But anyway, I can wait 'till the OP comes back.
 

Similar threads

This 3 mass atwood problem is confusing me
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
1K
What is density of dark matter as a function of distance from the galactic core?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
Calculate velocities in COM reference frame for 2D collision
  • · Replies 27 ·
Replies
27
Views
1K
Find moment arm of resultant force of two forces applied at two points
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
Kinetic energy in center of mass reference frame
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Angular momentum of a mass-rope-mass system
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
Experimental Design: Pulley and Mass Hangers
  • · Replies 30 ·
2
Replies
30
Views
4K
What is the final angular displacement of a disk hit by two masses?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Closest distance of approach between 2 charged particles
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
1K
Calculate the speed and angle of the center of mass before a collision
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K