What is the Force Generated by a Non-Elliptical Orbit Planet?

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a planet's non-elliptical orbit around a star, focusing on the forces acting on the planet. The original poster introduces a gravitational force term and an additional force that varies with distance, raising questions about the nature of these forces and their implications.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants express uncertainty about how to approach the problem, with some questioning the requirements and others suggesting assumptions about mass distribution and density functions. There is a focus on understanding the radial dependence of the force generated by the mass distribution.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants seeking clarification and guidance on how to begin addressing the problem. Some have proposed starting points related to mass distribution and force calculations, but no consensus has been reached on a specific approach.

Contextual Notes

There is mention of a deadline for the homework, indicating a time constraint that may affect the participants' engagement and urgency in finding a solution.

Tom1
Messages
23
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



A planet around a star has an orbit that is not exactly an ellipse. In addition to the dominant Fo [tex]\alpha[/tex] r^-2 term due to gravity from the central star, the planet seems to be responding to a slight additional force which has the form F1 [tex]\alpha[/tex] r^-[tex]\alpha[/tex] where [tex]\alpha[/tex] is some constant.


Homework Equations



Included in 1.

The Attempt at a Solution



Where do I begin?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
I have no idea since I don't know what you're supposed to be doing.
 
Sorry, part of this seems to have been cut off.

Assuming there is a slight background density of material with spherically symmetric density p1 falling off as p1 (alpha) r^-B

Find the value of B in terms of alpha
 
Can anyone help me get started please? I don't understand this at all and it's due soon.
 
Near as I can tell you want to assume there is a mass distribution with density rho(r)=p1*(r/r0)^(-B). Now you want to figure out the radial dependence of the force it generates. Compute total mass as a function of r, M(r). Use that to calculate the force.
 

Similar threads

Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
10K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
10K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
9K