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Re: [Phys-l] Fun orbital problem



Apropos of nothing in particular, here's a fun problem whose solution may raise more questions in your mind:

Three particles interact only gravitationally, follow circular orbits, and remain at all times collinear. The radii of two of the orbits is unity. What is the radius of the third?

John Mallinckrodt
Cal Poly Pomona

I think this is a solution:

http://usna.edu/Users/physics/mungan/Scholarship/BinaryOrbit.pdf

but let me know if you had something else in mind. -Carl
--
Carl E Mungan, Assoc Prof of Physics 410-293-6680 (O) -3729 (F)
Naval Academy Stop 9c, 572C Holloway Rd, Annapolis MD 21402-5002
mailto:mungan@usna.edu http://usna.edu/Users/physics/mungan/