- #1
- 519
- 11
How does one derive the total energy in an elliptic orbit:
[tex]E= - \frac{GMm}{2a}[/tex]
where a is the semi-major axis?
I did manage to get the result for the special case of circular orbit, as
[tex]v = \sqrt{\frac{GM}{R}}[/tex]
But the problem is that I can't figure out a way to express v in an elliptic orbit.
If at all possible, give hints (that is: not a direct answer), as I'd rather try it myself first :).
[tex]E= - \frac{GMm}{2a}[/tex]
where a is the semi-major axis?
I did manage to get the result for the special case of circular orbit, as
[tex]v = \sqrt{\frac{GM}{R}}[/tex]
But the problem is that I can't figure out a way to express v in an elliptic orbit.
If at all possible, give hints (that is: not a direct answer), as I'd rather try it myself first :).
Last edited: