Orbital Definition and 820 Threads

  1. dean barry

    Orbital Momentum: Equal or Variable?

    I know that a two body stable circular orbit has each body with equal momentum, but in the case of an elliptical orbit, if you ignore the orbit motion the two bodies reciprocate back and forth relative to each other, does this variable linear momentum rob from the circular momentum ? or is it a...
  2. C

    What is the mathematical function for the atomic orbital?

    I keep seeing that "An atomic orbital is a mathematical function that describes the wave-like behaviour of either one electron or a pair of electrons in an atom" or something similar. However I can't find what the mathematical function is. Can someone tell me or link me to it please?
  3. P

    Solve Orbital Mechanics Problems: Calculate Satellite Energy

    I'm having trouble with orbItal mechanics, I'm trying to determine the total potential energy of an orbiting satellite, what I've done so far is this: I know m*g*h is potential energy, but I also know that gravity deceases with distance avoiding to the inverse square law. I know I Just can't use...
  4. T

    Runge-Kutta method - Orbital mechanics

    Homework Statement Given: Initial orbital elements of a satellite a=6652.555663km; e=0.075; i=28.5 degrees; Ω=40 degrees; w=30 degrees; n=0 degrees;Tasks(using MATLAB): 1. Convert orbital elements to position and velocity vectors 2. Use these vectors to initialize the Runge-Kutta...
  5. applestrudle

    L = 0 (s) orbital potentials V(r) as n increases - why are...

    ... why are there more nodes/zeros? If l = 0 then the angular momentum contribution to the effective potential is zero, and there is the coublomb potential only. So shouldn't it always go as ~ -k/r^2 (k = constant) like the n=1 s orbital? Why is it that for n = 2 is there 1 zero, n= 3 there...
  6. M

    Orbital Velocity: Why Mass Doesn't Matter

    why orbital velocity of a satellite is independent of mass?
  7. C

    Computing osculating orbital elements

    Good afternoon, I wonder if someone can help me in a small doubt. I'm trying to calculate the orbital parameters of some solar system bodies. It's quite easy knowing their positions and velocities. But my question is this: these two components, position and velocity, must they be heliocentric...
  8. Amr Elsayed

    Derivation of orbital velocity formula

    Is there some mathematical derivation for calculating the orbital velocity based on altitude and acceleration without using calculus? I thought of equations of motion, but I always get problems. Is there a way to derive it using laws of gravitational potential and kinetic energy ? Are the...
  9. F

    Clear Space Technologies: Recycling & Repurposing Orbital Space Debris

    Lets try this again. Hello, my name is Fritz Conklin. I recently started a company, Clear Space Technologies. We intend to recycle and repurpose debris instead of the standard solution of "lets destroy it". This poses several hurdles, but nothing we can't overcome. Our mission is to defray the...
  10. C

    Orbital and Spin Angular momentum of light derivation

    Homework Statement The momentum carried by an electromagnetic field is [;\vec{P}(\vec{x}, t) = \frac{1}{4\pi c} \int d\vec{x}\vec{E}(\vec{x},t) \times \vec{B}(\vec{x},t);] show that for a finite field extension [;\vec{J}(\vec{x}, t) = \frac{1}{4\pi c}\int -i...
  11. Arpit Verma

    Energy for an electron in an orbital

    Is there any energy difference b/w two electrons of the same orbital having anti parallel spin?
  12. W

    Can we use counter-rotating rings to generate power on space

    I was reading a post by spongebob_79 about using counter-rotating rings to generate power and I had a thought. What is the general opinion of using counter-rotating rings mounted to 2 facing sides of a structure and simpily inducing opposite spins on the structures to generate power? Obviously...
  13. V

    Centripetal force and orbital motion....

    Hi, The force of gravity is the centripetal force when an object is in motion. But in projectile motion, where the speed is not enough to keep it in orbit, could the force of gravity be equated to centripetal force? I'm trying to understand if all types of curved motion can be explained by...
  14. NanaToru

    Metaphor for orbital angular momentum?

    I've been tutoring for chemistry and someone asked me to clarify the difference of spin angular momentum and orbital angular momentum without math. I was trying to think of a metaphor, but I wanted to make sure it's a fair one--the spin angular momentum is like Earth rotating on its own axis...
  15. Ryan Reed

    How to Graph an Electron Orbital?

    I've been really into electrons and their orbitals for a few months now, but I've never understood how they come up with all of these 3d models from these complicated equations. I would love it if someone could explain in detail the equations and the values of the variables and constants within...
  16. Ryan Reed

    Do Spin-Orbit Interactions change the Orbital of an Electron

    Does the orbital of an electron change when it experiences a spin-orbit interaction, and if so, how?
  17. P

    Understanding Orbital Wavefunctions in Quantum Mechanics

    I have poor concepts in Orbitals, wavefunctions etc. What i know is that quantum mechanics(study of sub atomic particles) talks about probability. What i understand is wavefunction means probability of finding an electron in space around a nucleus, correct me i am wrong.So when we say that this...
  18. Ryan Reed

    Does a Completed Electron Orbital Differ?

    In an atom of something like oxygen with a completed 2p orbital, do the paired electrons within the orbital behave differently than the same 2p orbital that is uncompleted? Bear with me and try to understand this question as I am a little fuzzy on the subject and I don't know how else to ask...
  19. Ryan Reed

    Are Electron Orbitals Static or Dynamic?

    Do the orbitals of electrons change positions within their energy level relative to the nucleus or are they statically "attached" to the nucleus? To try and put this into perspective, would the orbitals of the electrons be like nailing a balloon(orbital) straight to the ball(nucleus) or nailing...
  20. G

    From RTN reference frame to ECI and orbital elements

    Hi all, I'm curently meeting the following problem and can't figure it out by myself. Assume we have to vehicles in space, a target and a chaser spacecraft . The target spacecraft defines the RTN frame of reference. Given the position and velocity of the chaser in RTN-coordinates, how can I...
  21. K

    Need assistance with orbital dynamics questions

    Hello, I am currently writing a novel and there are quite a few situations that I would like to create that involve orbital dynamics. I would like to be as realistic as possible. I am seeking a knowledgeable person that can ballpark these problems. I do not think that it would take to much of...
  22. LarryS

    Orbital Angular Momentum: Need at least 2 particles?

    The definition of orbital angular momentum, whether for classical mechanics or for quantum mechanical operators, is rxp. Technically, according to this definition, one particle can possesses orbital angular momentum - in this case about the origin. But I cannot think of any examples, in...
  23. B

    Need help programming an Orbital Simulator

    Homework Statement Hey, so basically I'm doing Advanced Higher Computing Science at school (It's a Scottish qualification), and I need to build an orbital simulator in VB.Net 2008 (nothing too fancy), but I'm having issues planning it all out. I'm only going to have one planet orbiting a star...
  24. S

    Coefficients of wave function of a hybrid orbital

    Assuming the 2s and 2p wavefunctions are normalized, determine the coefficients in the hybrid orbital: Ψ(sp3) = aΨ(2s) + aΨ(2px) + aΨ(2py) + aΨ(2pz) (the other 3 hybrids have – signs for some of the coefficients. I have no clue where to start. I know this is a tetrahedral hybrid orbital but...
  25. AwesomeTrains

    Derivation of orbital period - Hydrogen

    Hey everyone! 1. Homework Statement I've been giving the equation for a gaussian wave packet and from that I have to derive this formula: T_{Kepler}=2\pi \bar n ^3 by doing a first order taylor series approximation at \bar n of the phase: f(x)=f(\bar n)+\frac{df}{dx}|_{\bar n}(x-\bar...
  26. I

    Redshift, Earth's orbital speed, and the speed of light

    The Earth is moving around the Sun at around 30km/s, a change of 60km/s over the course of the year. Presumably, measurements of the speed of light would show a redshift up to ±30km/s? Are redshift measurements this accurate? Likewise, the speed of the Solar System around the Milky Way, is...
  27. T

    Orbital Mechanics: Find Eqns of Motion w/ Initial Conditions

    Hello, After searching on the internet, I have come to the conclusion that there is no completely general way to calculate the position of an orbiting body. My question is whether there is a way to find the equations of motion with respect to time of a satellite orbit given only the initial...
  28. F

    How to check a statement about orbital angles of exoplanets?

    Hi, everybody. Mi name is Fabio Onier Osorio Pelaez and I'm from Colombia. I hope to be finishing my Bachelor´s degree in Physics at University of Antioquia by next August. I'm doing my final project on the detection of planets by the Radial Velocity technique and I have a question about an...
  29. jdawg

    What Does Molecular Orbital Theory Say About the Overlap of Atomic Orbitals?

    Hey! So I'm a little fuzzy on my understanding of MO theory. One question I had on my study guide said that according to MO theory, overlap of two s atomic orbitals produces _________. I know the answer is one bonding molecular orbitals and one antibonding molecular orbital. Why is this? Also I...
  30. BilboBombadillo

    Help with circular velocity question (unit conversions?)

    Homework Statement Consider a satellite in circular low Mars orbit 300km above the planetary surface. R = 3396km M = 6.419 x 1023kg G = 6.674 x 10-11m3/kg/s2 Find the orbital velocity of the satellite (using the given values, I assume, as there is some inaccuracy in the real-life mass value...
  31. P

    What is the relationship between orbital semi latus rectum and angular momentum?

    Hi. I have recently been trying my hands at calculating a few orbits but have encountered difficulties in trying to 'understand' the semi latus rectum. P=h^2/GM What does it have to do with the orbiting object's angular momentum? How come I get different values when I derive it from other...
  32. X

    Magnetic Dipole due to an electron's orbital motion

    Homework Statement Select all of the following which are possible combinations of Lz and θ for hydrogen atoms in a d state, where Lz is the z component of the angular momentum L, and θ is the angle between the +zaxis and the magnetic dipole moment µℓ due to the electron's orbital motion...
  33. Drakkith

    Exoplanet Eccentricity vs Orbital Period

    I have a question concerning the eccentricity vs orbital period of observed exoplanets. Going to this link let's you plot different exoplanet properties on each axis of a graph. Plugging in Orbital Period for the X-axis and Eccentricity for the Y-axis shows that a trend towards decreasing...
  34. J

    Orbital velocity and radius for satellite

    Homework Statement A geostationary satellite is to be placed to view the far side of the moon. How far away should it be placed from the center of the Earth and what velocity should it travel in order to maintain its orbit? (Considering the moon and Earth as one entity and solve for the center...
  35. binbagsss

    Parity formulae, orbital angular momentum, mesons

    So a particle has intrinsic parity ##\pm 1 ## . The parity of a system of particles is given by product of intrinsic parities and the result is: ##(-1)^l ## (1). Questions: 1) How does this result follow? and what exactly is ##l## here? so it's the orbital angular momentum, so say a particle...
  36. G

    Exploring Positronium's Orbital Period in the Far Future

    In the far future(10^85 years) an “element” called positronium will develop with a diameter of the current observable universe of 93 billion light years. (Remember that light travels at 3 × 10^8 m/s). This element consists of an electron and a positron, both of which have a mass 9.11 × 10^−31...
  37. AdityaDev

    Diamagnetism and orbital magnetic moment

    For diamagnetic materials, when an external magnetic field is applied, the electrons having orbital magnetic moment in opposite directions spped up. how does this happen? The direction of magnetic momwnt is given by right hand thum rule. If there is an electron revolving in anticlockwise...
  38. O

    Is Kinetic Energy Equal to Negative Potential Energy in Circular Orbital Motion?

    Hey, so I have a question about motions of planets and their energy basically. When we have a circular orbit, why is it that the kinetic energy is just the opposite of potential energy? (Assuming it's a closed orbit) Like if we have U = something, than the kinetic energy T = -1/2U? This would...
  39. B

    Analyzing 3 Electron States in Different Orbital Levels

    Homework Statement Consider three electrons in three different orbital levels n, m and p. We assume that there is one electron in each orbital level. How many states are then possible? Homework Equations Equations for constructing symmetric and asymmetric wavefunctions: Symmetric under pair...
  40. G

    Minimum Orbital Radius Around Black Holes

    Hi there, I was reading one of my textbooks and I had a thought. For a black hole, there is minimum orbiting radius of ##R_{min}=3R_s## where ##R_s## is the Schwarzschild Radius. This minimum orbit is created by the fact that in order to obtain an orbit of that radius around a black hole, you...
  41. L

    Molecular Orbital & Normal Modes

    I'd like to ask a couple of questions. As a solid object gets bigger, the molecular orbital (combinations of all single atom orbitals) has greater size too? For a one inch square object (of closely packed molecules like crystals), what is its molecular orbital size compared to a one foot square...
  42. H

    Optimizing Orbital Shielding: Comparing 1s, 3s, 4d, and 5s Orbitals

    Assuming all orbitals are filled, which of these orbitals is most shielded: 1s, 3s, 4d, 5s The answer is 4d, but I chose 5s. Can someone explain? I thought the electrons in the d block are considered core electrons and contribute to the shielding, but feel more pull from the nucleus because of...
  43. R

    What shapes do d orbital represent?

    In d orbital there are 5 degenerates. How ## d_z^2 ## represents something like a donut shape. Shouldn't it be a parabola with respect to z axis, like when plotting graph of ## x^2 ##. Also have confusion about shapes of other 4 degenerates. For s it is spherical and simple. For p there are 3...
  44. F

    How can two atomic orbitals with the same n value be orthogonal?

    I am wondering how two orbitals of same n values can be orthogonal, for example how are a 2s and 3s orbital orthogonal? What I understand is a property of orthogonality is the product of the two wave functions integrate to zero over all space. I tried to look at this graphically and categorize...
  45. Dethrone

    MHB Radial distribution of a 3d orbital

    How do I sketch the radial distribution of a $3d_{x^2-y^2}$ orbital? :D
  46. Z

    Selection Rules and Light with Orbital Angular Momentum

    When we first learn of selection rules for atomic transitions, we learn that electrons have to change between states that differ in angular momentum by at most 1ħ, because photons have 1 unit of spin angular momentum. However, photons can have arbitrarily high integer quantities of orbital...
  47. K

    Light's orbital angular momentum

    I read this article, and I'm confused about several things. http://scitation.aip.org/content/aip/magazine/physicstoday/article/57/5/10.1063/1.1768672 Apparently, light can have orbital angular momentum as well as spin. But I don't see how this is possible, at least in vacuum. Is this in vacuum...
  48. J

    Orbital Angular Momentum and Photon Energy

    Just a quick question on photon orbital angular momentum. In the equation for photon energy: E2 = p2c2 + m2c4 Is OAM counted in the p2c2 part? Or does the above equation only apply to photons with normal momentum and there is another term for the angular momentum? The normal relation for p...
  49. CaptainSiscold

    Angular kinematics: determining satellite orbital radius

    So, I'm working on my semester finals for my high school physics class, and I've run across a problem that has me stumped. I've included the pertinent material below. Homework Statement A rocket with a mass of 2kg and traveling at 14,008.34 meters/second loses 10% of its velocity as finishes...
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