2004/10/19 by Subhankar Ray, Ray, Subhankar, J. Shamanna +1
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Engineering · Physics and Astronomy · #Classical Physics (physics.class-ph) #Experimental and Theoretical Physics Studies #FOS: Physical sciences #Magnetic and Electromagnetic Effects #Physics Education (physics.ed-ph) #Sports Dynamics and Biomechanics #physics.class-ph #physics.ed-ph
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.physics/0410149
11 pages, 15 figures, submitted to Am. J. Phys. Nov 14 2003 (ms # 17211)
arxiv created 2004/10/19 · openalex publication_date 2004/10/19 · arxiv updated 2009/12/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
The nature of boundedness of orbits of a particle moving in a central force field is investigated. General conditions for circular orbits and their stability are discussed. In a bounded central field orbit, a particle moves clockwise or anticlockwise, depending on its angular momentum, and at the same time oscillates between a minimum and a maximum radial distance, defining an inner and an outer annulus. There are generic orbits suggested in popular texts displaying the general features of a central orbit. In this work it is demonstrated that some of these orbits, seemingly possible at the first glance, are not compatible with a central force field. For power law forces, the general nature of boundedness and geometric shape of orbits are investigated.