The orbits tag has no wiki summary.
5
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4answers
331 views
Are galactic stars spiraling inwards?
Are the stars in our galaxy spiraling inwards towards the center, or are they in a permanent orbit?
And if we are heading towards the center then what is the rate of this process?
I started ...
6
votes
2answers
228 views
What happens to orbits at small radii in general relativity?
I know that (most) elliptic orbits precess due to the math of general relativity, like this:
source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Two-body_problem_in_general_relativity
I also know that something ...
1
vote
2answers
168 views
Expression for distance of closest approach in Schwarzschild Geodesics
The Wikipedia article Two-body problem in General Relativity uses two length-scale variables, $a$ and $b$, to simplify the math. For some information about these, consider these statements from the ...
9
votes
3answers
511 views
Gravity in other dimensions than 3 and stable orbits
I have heard from here that stable orbits (ones that require a large amount of force to push it significantly out of it's elliptical path) can only exist in a three spatial dimensions because gravity ...
2
votes
1answer
243 views
How did Copernicus establish the relative distance to the superior planets?
I understand that the relative distances to the planets had been calculated using various methods since ancient times, and, in particular, that the assumptions of the Copernican model of the Solar ...
4
votes
4answers
2k views
Why do covalent bonds form?
why in a covalent bond are "the bonded electrons are in a lower energy state than if the individual atoms held them at the same proximity"?
Also is it correct that " I think when you start pushing ...
1
vote
3answers
97 views
Condition for closed orbit [closed]
I'd like to know when an orbit is closed. I know that, to have a closed orbit, there is a ratio that must be a rational number, but I don't know other things..
0
votes
1answer
79 views
Is Earth's orbit altered by recoil from take-off/launch/recovery of aero/space vehicles?
Just what the title states.
Pretty much all movement on Earth is by pushing against the much greater mass of Earth. Given there are easily thousands of aircraft taking flight/landing, and a lesser ...