- #1
StephenPrivitera
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Estimate the distance of the L1 point from Earth.
S-------------r------------L1--(a-r)--E
The centripetal force on this object at L1 is equal to the net force on the object. At L1, (to the left of L1 is negative)
F_net=F_sun+F_earth
-(mv2)/r=-GMsm/r2+GMem/(a-r)2
Solving for r gives a polynomial of 5th degree!
How do I go about this in an easier fashion?
S-------------r------------L1--(a-r)--E
The centripetal force on this object at L1 is equal to the net force on the object. At L1, (to the left of L1 is negative)
F_net=F_sun+F_earth
-(mv2)/r=-GMsm/r2+GMem/(a-r)2
Solving for r gives a polynomial of 5th degree!
How do I go about this in an easier fashion?