Kepler problem - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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Kepler problem
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

In classical mechanics, the Kepler problem is a special case of the two-body problem, in which the two bodies
interact by a central force F that varies in strength as the inverse square of the distance r between them. The
force may be either attractive or repulsive. The "problem" to be solved is to find the position or speed of the two
bodies over time given their masses and initial positions and velocities. Using classical mechanics, the solution
can be expressed as a Kepler orbit using six orbital elements.
The Kepler problem is named after Johannes Kepler, who proposed Kepler's laws of planetary motion (which
are part of classical mechanics and solve the problem for the orbits of the planets) and investigated the types of
forces that would result in orbits obeying those laws (called Kepler's inverse problem).[1]
For a discussion of the Kepler problem specific to radial orbits, see: Radial trajectory. The Kepler problem in
general relativity produces more accurate predictions, especially in strong gravitational fields.

Contents
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2
3
4
5

Applications
Mathematical definition
Solution of the Kepler problem
See also
References

Applications
The Kepler problem arises in many contexts, some beyond the physics studied by Kepler himself. The Kepler
problem is important in celestial mechanics, since Newtonian gravity obeys an inverse square law. Examples
include a satellite moving about a planet, a planet about its sun, or two binary stars about each other. The Kepler
problem is also important in the motion of two charged particles, since Coulombs law of electrostatics also
obeys an inverse square law. Examples include the hydrogen atom, positronium and muonium, which have all
played important roles as model systems for testing physical theories and measuring constants of nature.
The Kepler problem and the simple harmonic oscillator problem are the two most fundamental problems in
classical mechanics. They are the only two problems that have closed orbits for every possible set of initial
conditions, i.e., return to their starting point with the same velocity (Bertrand's theorem). The Kepler problem
has often been used to develop new methods in classical mechanics, such as Lagrangian mechanics, Hamiltonian
mechanics, the HamiltonJacobi equation, and action-angle coordinates. The Kepler problem also conserves the
LaplaceRungeLenz vector, which has since been generalized to include other interactions. The solution of the
Kepler problem allowed scientists to show that planetary motion could be explained entirely by classical
mechanics and Newtons law of gravity; the scientific explanation of planetary motion played an important role
in ushering in the Enlightenment.

Mathematical definition

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The central force F that varies in strength as the inverse square of the distance r between them:

where k is a constant and represents the unit vector along the line between them.[2] The force may be either
attractive (k<0) or repulsive (k>0). The corresponding scalar potential (the potential energy of the non-central
body) is:

Solution of the Kepler problem

The equation of motion for the radius of a particle of mass
Lagrange's equations

and the angular momentum

moving in a central potential

is conserved. For illustration, the first term on the

left-hand side is zero for circular orbits, and the applied inwards force
requirement

is given by

equals the centripetal force

, as expected.

If L is not zero the definition of angular momentum allows a change of independent variable from to

giving the new equation of motion that is independent of time

The expansion of the first term is

This equation becomes quasilinear on making the change of variables

and multiplying both sides by

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After substitution and rearrangement:

For an inverse-square force law such as the gravitational or electrostatic potential, the potential can be written

The orbit

can be derived from the general equation

whose solution is the constant

where

(the eccentricity) and

plus a simple sinusoid

(the phase offset) are constants of integration.

This is the general formula for a conic section that has one focus at the origin;
corresponds to a circle,
corresponds to an ellipse,
corresponds to a parabola, and
corresponds to a hyperbola. The
eccentricity is related to the total energy (cf. the LaplaceRungeLenz vector)

Comparing these formulae shows that

ellipses),

corresponds to an ellipse (all solutions which are closed orbits are

corresponds to a parabola, and

corresponds to a hyperbola. In particular,

for perfectly circular orbits (the central force exactly equals the centripetal force requirement, which determines
the required angular velocity for a given circular radius).
For a repulsive force (k > 0) only e > 1 applies.

See also
Action-angle coordinates
Bertrand's theorem
Binet equation
HamiltonJacobi equation
LaplaceRungeLenz vector

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Kepler orbit
Kepler problem in general relativity
Kepler's equation
Kepler's laws of planetary motion

References
1. Goldstein, H. (1980). Classical Mechanics (2nd ed.). Addison Wesley.
2. Arnold, VI (1989). Mathematical Methods of Classical Mechanics, 2nd ed. New York: Springer-Verlag. p. 38.
ISBN 0-387-96890-3.

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