MATLAB Programming Orbit Dynamics in MATLAB w/o Mass

  • Thread starter Thread starter starbaj12
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Matlab Physics
AI Thread Summary
To write a program that calculates kinetic energy, potential energy, and total mechanical energy at each position in an orbit without a specified mass, one approach is to set the mass to a unit value, such as 1. The kinetic energy can be calculated using the formula 0.5 * m * v^2, where m is set to 1. The potential energy can be determined using the formula -GMm/r, again substituting m with 1. The total mechanical energy is the sum of kinetic and potential energy, expressed as E = k + p. This method allows for the calculation of energy values in a simplified manner while maintaining the relationships between the variables.
starbaj12
Messages
48
Reaction score
0
How would I write a program to show the kinetic energy, potential energy and total mechanical energy at each position in a orbit. I'm not given mass within the program I have to modify

I wanted to just use .5mv^2 = k
-GMm/r = p
and
E = k + p

but can not due to no mass
 
Physics news on Phys.org
You can just set the mass to 1 unit.
 
Back
Top