- #1
Macykc2
- 13
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Homework Statement
Discuss the motion of a particle in a central inverse-square-law force field for a superimposed force whose magnitude is inversely proportional to the cube of the distance from the particle to the force center, that is:
F(r) = -k/r2 - λ/r3 and k,λ>0
Show that the motion is described by a precessing ellipse.Homework Equations
The one given in the question
The Attempt at a Solution
I honestly don't know where to begin, we derived an equation in class that we could find the force law if a particular known orbit r=r(θ), and I was thinking of using it:
(d2/dθ2)(1/r) + (1/r) = -μr2F(r)/l2
but I don't know what to do with the left hand side, but again it's just a guess as to what to start with.Sorry for not using the math commands, they didn't want to work for some reason.