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Re: [Phys-l] Fun orbital problem



At 12:35 PM 1/2/2008, Carl Mungan wrote:
>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/


Hmmmm...I supposed that one particle weighs much the same as another,
so this would not be my conclusion. A third R more like 0.71 is what
I had in mind.....
...there again, fools rush in etc., etc.
:-)

Brian W



Brian Whatcott Altus OK Eureka!