Plotting potential of 2 bodies.

[kagestodder]

Hi everyone,

Im currently following an example of this paper: http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/aeronautics-and-astronautics/16-07-dynamics-fall-2009/lecture-notes/MIT16_07F09_Lec18.pdf

And have reached a standstill on page 5. I am trying to plot the pseudo potential of the two bodies. I have succeded in plotting the gravitational potential in maple. But when i want to plot the pseudo potential i have to use the function (14). But on the added centrifugal force there's r, which i pressume is the position vector.

Im not really sure how to plot this since i now have 3 (x,y,r) variables instead of 2(x,y). r must be some sort of function of x and y, i think? If anyone has ever plottet the potential field i would love to know what to do now.

Regards
and thanks in advance.

 

[jtbell]

Hint: r is the "diagonal" distance running directly from the origin to the point (x,y). x is the "horizontal" distance from the origin. y is the "vertical" distance from the origin. x, y and r form the three sides of a right triangle. What famous Greek do you think of when you look at a right triangle?

 

[kagestodder]

Doh!

thanks :) Graph looks perfect now!