Simulating the Three Body Problem

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The discussion centers on simulating the Circular Restricted Three Body Problem using Excel. The original poster has equations of motion but struggles with implementing them, despite successfully creating a two-body simulation. The conversation shifts to the need for programming assistance, as the problem involves integrating the motion of a third body influenced by the first two. Suggestions include seeking help in a programming subforum and re-expressing the equations in a vector format for easier implementation. The complexities of handling vector equations in Excel are highlighted, with a focus on the challenges of using Excel's capabilities without advanced programming knowledge.
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Hello.

I want to simulate the Circular Restricted Three Body Problem in excel, however I don't know how to get started, even though I have the equations of motion.
The Planar, Circular Restricted Three Body Problem assumes that one body, m3, is neglebtaly small, and the two other bodies move around a common center of mass.
 
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Jesperchristiansen said:
I want to simulate the Circular Restricted Three Body Problem in excel, however I don't know how to get started, even though I have the equations of motion.
So you need help with Excel?
 
Yes, I’ve successfully created a two body simulation in Excel. However, I don’t know how to simulate a planer three body problem, even though it should be quite easy.
 
Jesperchristiansen said:
Yes, I’ve successfully created a two body simulation in Excel. However, I don’t know how to simulate a planer three body problem, even though it should be quite easy.
Then you should ask in the programming sub forum, as this is not really a question about physics.
 
I move this thread to Programming and Computer Science
 
So you've got two bodies that are only influenced by each other (i.e. a two-body problem that you say you've already solved) and a third whose equations of motion depend on its position and velocity and the positions of the first two. Where's the problem?
 
Ibix said:
So you've got two bodies that are only influenced by each other (i.e. a two-body problem that you say you've already solved) and a third whose equations of motion depend on its position and velocity and the positions of the first two. Where's the problem?

I don't know how to insert the equation of motion of the third body in excel, since it includes vectorrelations as shown in this website: http://www.geom.uiuc.edu/~megraw/MATH1/math1.html
 

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None of those quantities are vectors in the form written. You could re-express the equations as a single vector equation instead of two equations in terms of components if you wanted.
 
Thanks a lot. How could I do that?
 
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I'm confused. You've got equations in a non-vectorial format. Presumably you've got some kind of differential equation solver going to have been able to solve the two-body problem. I'm not sure I understand what your difficulties are. Why would you need the equations in a vectorial form? I'm not aware of any way to make Excel handle them, unless you've gone pretty deep into VBA.
 
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