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Brachistochrone of a Spherical Uniform Mass Distribution

Mathematical Physics 2008-08-23 v3 math.MP

Abstract

We solve the brachistochrone problem for a particle travelling through a spherical mass distribution of uniform density. We examine the connection between this problem and the popular "gravity elevator" result. The solution is compared to the well known brachistochrone problem of a particle in a uniform gravitational field.

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Cite

@article{arxiv.math-ph/0611055,
  title  = {Brachistochrone of a Spherical Uniform Mass Distribution},
  author = {David R. Mitchell},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:math-ph/0611055},
  year   = {2008}
}

Comments

3 pages, 1 figure