Solving a Central Force Motion Problem: Find E & L

Join the discussion
Registration is free. Ask a follow-up in this thread, or start your own.
6 replies · 2K views
anirudh dutta
Messages
9
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


a body of mass 1kg moves under the influence of a central force with potential energy question V(r)= -exp(-3r/2)/5r2
.it is found to move under a circular orbit of radius 2 m

Homework Equations


find the total energy and the angular momentum


The Attempt at a Solution

 
Physics news on Phys.org
see, since i have the potential energy fn, i can calculate the force by calculating the negative of grad of V.
This force will be balanced by the centripetal corce i.e mv^2 /r. from here i can cal the velocity, v.
thus the angular mom is simply mvr and total energy is P.E+K.E
 
firstly the mathematical calculation is very tedious. So is there sm another meathod
 
I don't know of a better way. It doesn't look that bad. If you have access to software like Mathematica, it will be a snap, but even without that it should be less than one page.
 
Your method seems correct and it's not tedious at all. You should be able to do it with pencil and paper just fine.