KEPLER PROBLEM

Unit-3 : Classical Mechanics

ROHAN CH. DAS Semester -1, 2024

Proof:
We know that the differential equation of orbit is
given by:
2
d u m 1
+ u = − f( ) …………..(1)
dθ 2 L 2u 2 u
For a central force obeying inverse square law,
k
f(r) = − 2
r
1 1 2
Put r = then the function f( ) = − ku ……..(2)
u u
f
 Using the value of equation (4) in equation (3),
We now use the value of equation (2) in we have :
2
equation (1) and obtain : d x
+ x = 0 ……………..(5)
2 dθ 2
d u m 2
+ u = − (−ku ) The general solution for equation (5) is
dθ 2 Lu
2 2
2 x = Acos(θ − θ′) , where A and θ′ are
d u mk constants.
=> + u − = 0 ……………..(3)
dθ 2 L2 Therefore,
Let us consider, mk
u − 2 = Acos(θ − θ′)
mk L
u− 2 =x mk
L => u = + Acos(θ − θ′ )
du dx L2
=> = 1 mk
dθ dθ => = 2 + Acos(θ − θ′) ………………..(6)
r L
2 2
d u d x L 2
L 2
=> = ………………………(4) => =1+ Acos(θ − θ′) ………….(7)
dθ 2 dθ 2
mkr mk






Comparing equation (7) with d 1 · ·
(6) => − 2 r = 0 − Asin(θ − θ′) . θ
general equation of conic section dt r
l · 2 L
= 1 + e . cos(θ − θ′) we get : => r = Ar sin(θ − θ′)
r mr 2
L 2
· AL
l = = Latus Rectum => r = sin(θ − θ′) …………..(8)
• m
mk
2
L A We know that the total energy of a particle
• e = = Eccentricity moving under a central force ield is given
mk by,
2
1 ·2 L
E = mr + V(r) + …………..(9)
2 2mr 2

k
(− )




r
f
Using values from equation (6) and (8) in equation (9) we get :
2 2 2
m AL mk L mk
E = [ sin(θ − θ′] − k[ 2 + Acos(θ − θ′)] + [ 2 + Acos(θ − θ′)]
2 m L 2m L
2 2 2
A L mk
=> E = − 2
2m 2L
2 2 2
mk A L
=> E + =
2L 2 2m
2
2 2m mk
=> A = [E + ]
L 2 2L 2
2 2
2 2m mk 2L E
=> A = . ( + 1)
L 2 2L 2 mk 2
2
mk 2L E
=> A = 1+
L 2 mk 2



As, # The magnitude of ‘e’ decides the
2 nature of orbit.
L A
e=
mk
• e>1 ———> E>0 ————> Hyperbola
So,
• e=1 ———> E=0 ————> Parabola
2 2
L mk 2L E
e= . 2 1+ • e<1 ———> E<0 ————> Ellipse
mk L mk 2
2
mk
2 • e=0 ———> E= − ———> Circle
2L E 2L 2
=> e= 1+
mk 2

2
mk 2
=> E = (e − 1) ……..(10)
2L 2
 Kepler’s 3rd. Law of Period
De inition:- The square of the time period of revolution of a planet around the sun is directly proportional to the cube of the semi-
major axis of the ellipse

Proof:
From Kepler’s 1st. Law of planetary motion, we know that
when e<1 and E<0, the orbit is elliptical and equation of
the orbit is given by :
l
= 1 + ecos(θ − θ′) …………..(1)
r
2
L
Where, l = …………………………..…(2)
mk
2
2EL
& e= 1+ ……………..(3)
mk 2

f
 0
When θ − θ′ = 0, then cos(θ − θ′) = 1, When θ − θ′ = 180 , then cos(θ − θ′) =
i.e. maximum. In this case, ‘r’ will be -1, i.e. minimum. In this case, ‘r’ will be
minimum. maximum.
Let, Let,

rmin. = r1= Perihelion = The point at rmax. = r2= Aphelion = The point at
which Earth is closest to the sun. which Earth is farthest from the sun.
Therefore, Therefore,
l l l l
= 1 + e = > r1 = …….(4) = 1 − e = > r1 = …….(5)
r1 1+e r2 1−e




 2
L
From the igure, mk
=> a =
2a = r1 + r2 2
2EL 2
1−( 1+ )
l l mk 2
= + k
1+e 1−e =−
2 2E
= l[ ] k
1−e 2
=> E = − ……………….(6)
l 2a
=> a =
1−e 2

# Thus, in case of elliptical orbits, the total energy of planet depends only on
the major axis (2a) .
f
 But, area of ellipse, A = πab
Let, ’T’ be the time period of the revolution
of the planet around the sun. Therefore,

Therefore, Areal LT
Velocity = πab
T 2m
dA
∫0 dt
Area of Orbit = dt 2πmab
=> T = ……………….……(8)
L
T
1 2· As,
∫0 2
= ( r θ)dt 2
b=a 1−e
T
1 2 L
∫0 2 mr 2
2
2EL
=> A = r dt = a 1 − (1 + )
mk 2
T
L
2m ∫0
2
= dt L
=a [Value of E from (6)]
mka
LT L
=> A = …………………….(7) => b = a …………………………(9)
2m mk
Replacing the value of b from equation (9) in equation (8), we have :
2πma L
T= a
L mk
3
2πma 2
=
mk
2 2
2 4π m 3
=> T = a
mk
2 3
=> T ∝ a ………………(10)

#Equation (10) gives us the Kepler’s 3rd. Law of Planetary Motion.