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Brachistochrone of a Spherical Uniform Mass Distribution

2006/11/21 by David R. Mitchell, Mitchell, David R.
Mathematics · Physics and Astronomy · #Experimental and Theoretical Physics Studies #Planetary Science and Exploration #math-ph #math.MP #msc:49S05

paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.math-ph/0611055

3 pages, 1 figure

arxiv created 2008/08/23 · arxiv updated 2009/12/01

Abstract

We solve the brachistochrone problem for a particle travelling through a spherical mass distribution of uniform density. We examine the connection between this problem and the popular "gravity elevator" result. The solution is compared to the well known brachistochrone problem of a particle in a uniform gravitational field.

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