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The law of universal gravitation states: $$\vec{F}=-\frac{GMm}{r^2}\hat{r}$$ where we have the familiar $m$ for the small mass and $M$ for the big mass, $r$ being the distance between the center of masses of the two bodies. We can set this equation equal $mg$ where $g$ is the gravitational acceleration - we then have: $$\vec{g}=-\frac{GM}{r^2}\hat{r}$$ Assume an object which is very far from the big mass, and also assume that that object has relatively small mass compared to the big mass (i.e. $\ll M$), so that it does not produce strong gravitational field that would move the big mass. We then have this differential equation: $$\ddot{r}=-\frac{GM}{r^2}$$ What then would be the solution to this equation? My attempt looked like this: $$\frac{d^2r}{dt^2}=-\frac{GM}{r^2}$$ We can use the chain rule, $$\frac{d}{dt}=\frac{d}{dr}\frac{dr}{dt} \Longrightarrow \frac{d^2r}{dt^2}=\frac{d}{dr}\left(\frac{dr}{dt}\right)^2$$ which is then, $$\frac{d}{dr}\left(\frac{dr}{dt}\right)^2=-\frac{GM}{r^2}$$ Then integrating the expression gives us: $$\left(\frac{dr}{dt}\right)^2=\frac{GM}{r}+\mathrm{const}.$$ And I cannot solve this. I am not even sure if my method of solving this is correct, can someone help me or give me a link to a solution?

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  • $\begingroup$ multiply the equation with $\frac{dr}{dt}$ and know what the derivative of $(\frac{dr}{dt})^2$ is $\endgroup$
    – trula
    Commented Nov 5 at 16:55
  • $\begingroup$ See for example the Kepler problem on Wikipedia. $\endgroup$
    – Amit
    Commented Nov 5 at 16:56
  • $\begingroup$ The differential equation should be an equation for a vector. Missing that, there would be no orbit at all. This subject is treated in detail in every textbook on classical mechanics. $\endgroup$ Commented Nov 5 at 17:03
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    $\begingroup$ Your equation should have a factor of 1/2 on the left-hand side. If you correct this, it becomes equivalent to the statement that the energy of the particle (kinetic plus potential) is conserved. $\endgroup$ Commented Nov 5 at 17:08
  • $\begingroup$ As far as solving it goes, the resulting equation is separable and can be solved via standard ODE techniques to get a relationship between $t$ and $r$. I'm pretty sure this question has been asked & answered on this stack but I can't find it just now. $\endgroup$ Commented Nov 5 at 17:10

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