Two masses m, and m2 with position vectors r, and r2 respectively, interact through an attractive central force proportional to the inverse of the square of their distance, F = k/|r -r2 |. Explain mathematically why it can be reduced to a problem of a single particle of reduced mass p = m,m2 / (m, + m2) with position vector r = r, - 12 measured with respect to the center of mass system. (b) Graph the effective potential for the coordinate r = | r| and analyze it qualitatively indicating what kind of solutions are obtained for different values of energy.

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Two masses m, and m2 with position vectors r, and r2 respectively,
interact through an attractive central force proportional to the inverse of
the square of their distance, F = k /|r; -r2 |. Explain mathematically why
it can be reduced to a problem of a single particle of reduced mass u =
m;m2 / (m, + m2) with position vectorr =r1 - 12 measured with respect to
the center of mass system. (b) Graph the effective potential for the
coordinate r = | r | and analyze it qualitatively indicating what kind of
solutions are obtained for different values of energy.
Transcribed Image Text:Two masses m, and m2 with position vectors r, and r2 respectively, interact through an attractive central force proportional to the inverse of the square of their distance, F = k /|r; -r2 |. Explain mathematically why it can be reduced to a problem of a single particle of reduced mass u = m;m2 / (m, + m2) with position vectorr =r1 - 12 measured with respect to the center of mass system. (b) Graph the effective potential for the coordinate r = | r | and analyze it qualitatively indicating what kind of solutions are obtained for different values of energy.
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