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Homework Statement
hi guys this is my first post, and it relates to classical mechanics. the problems asks that if there is a planet, planet x, with the same mass as that of the Earth and orbiting the same orbit as that of the Earth but 180 degres off from earth, so that the if the Earth is at the perihelion, planet x is at aphelion. the problems says that because of the elliptical nature of the orbit, from the Earth there'll be a time in which planet x can be observed and not hidden by the sun, it then goes on to ask to find the maximum angle between the sun and planet x as viewed from earth.
Homework Equations
I know that for an elliptical orbit I can determined the angular and radial change as a function of time for both planets. so my plan is to relate the radial distance of from sun to Earth and from sun to planet x, and then relate them by the cosine law function to find the angle that I need. then I will differentiate the equation with respect to time and set it equal to zero to find the minima and maxima of the angle.
guys I apologize if I didn't writte any equations, this is my first post and am learning to use the latex program. but I will appreciate it if you could tell me if I am in the right path. the problems is from Goldstein 3rd classical mechanics 3.17
The Attempt at a Solution
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