Planetary orbit and kepler laws simulation #43
Description
Simulation of planetary orbits
Simple setup with two bodies, probably a very heavy centre and a lighter 'planet'. Not specifically pertaining to planets as in the solar system (such sims exist and are quite good too), but rather two abstract bodies, with the intention being the study of the influence of the central potential on the bodies.
Type of issue
- New Feature
- Bug
- Documentation
Possible Implementations
Can include options to change initial energy, angular momenta, etc to observe the type of orbits formed, when they close, how the parameters affect the equation of the conic section followed. Can also appeal to higher lvl audiences by display of the LRL vector.
Bonus:
Implement in 3D, allow user to change the central potential (1/r^n) say, for instance 1/r^3 exhibits precessing orbits which are interesting to demonstrate.
Specific emphasis on abstraction to a 2 body system, unlike the existing n body simulation, to let the kepler orbits take the central stage. Also highly recommend 3D simulation, along with ability to set the direction of angular momentum vector to see how it varies/does not vary through the motion. Theory can explain a brief newtonian approach to deriving the behaviour, along with references to the lagrangian approach to this to open up more detailed study of the system.