What is the spiral shape produced by an attractive (1/r^2)sin(theta) force?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the mathematical modeling of the spiral shape produced by a force described by the equation (1/r^2)sin(theta). The key equations presented include r'' = A*sin(atan(r*θ' / r'))/r^2 and r = (A*s/(r''))^0.5, indicating a relationship between the distance from the origin (r) and the angle (theta). The discussion concludes that the system of equations is not solvable due to the presence of two unknowns, r and theta, which complicates the physical modeling process.

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kmarinas86
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I was wondering what shape a (1/r^2)sin(theta) force would produce between two bodies.

theta = angle between the distance between the two bodies and the velocity vector (90 degrees for a circular orbit).
 
Last edited:
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Here I broke it up into pieces:

r = distance from the origin

s = sin(atan(r*θ' / r'))

(A = constant)

r'' = A*s/r^2

System of equations:

r'' = A*s/r^2

r = (A*s/(r''))^0.5

I have no idea how to plot this. I know only as much as the fact that I can set initial values, but I don't know how to get from there to actually plotting the graph.
 
Last edited:
s = sin(atan(r*θ' / r'))
(A = constant)
r'' = A*s/r^2
System of equations:
r'' = A*s/r^2
r = (A*s/(r''))^0.5
r'' = A*s/r^2 and r = (A*s/(r''))^0.5 is the same equation.
So, you have one equation only. Eliminating s leads to :
r'' = A*sin(atan(r*θ' / r'))/r^2
Since the equation contains two unknows (r ans theta), it is not solvable.
The physical modeling is unfinished.
 

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