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It is argued that, for motion in a central force field, polar reciprocals of trajectories are an elegant alternative to hodographs. The principal advantage of polar reciprocals is that the transformation from a trajectory to its polar…
In this paper we present a framework which provides an analytical (i.e., infinitely differentiable) transformation between spatial coordinates and orbital elements for the solution of the gravitational two-body problem. The formalism omits…
Starting from the classical Newton's second law which, according to our assumption, is valid in any instantaneous inertial rest frame of body that moves in Minkowskian space-time we get the relativistic equation of motion…
The Lorentz transformation is entirely derived from length contraction, itself established through the known light-clock thought experiment . This makes the derivation accessible to beginning students once Eintein's two postulates have been…
The problem of derivation of the equations of motion from the field equations is considered. Einstein's field equations have a specific analytical form: They are linear in the second order derivatives and quadratic in the first order…
A simple general relativity theory for objects moving in gravitational fields is developed based on studying the behavior of an atom in a gravitational field. The theory is applied to calculate the satellite time dilation, light deflection…
We present a new derivation of the expressions for momentum and energy of a relativistic particle. In contrast to the procedures commonly adopted in textbooks, the one suggested here requires only the knowledge of the composition law for…
It is well known that the equations of motion obtained from Newtons second law of motion can be obtained from a Lagrangian via the Euler-Lagrangian formulation if and only if the equations of motion satisfy the Helmholtz conditions. In this…
Starting from the well-known light-clock thought experiment to derive time dilation and length contraction, it is shown that finding the Lorentz Transformation requires nothing more than the most trivial vector addition formula. The form…
Vectorial analysis relating to derivation of deflection of light is presented. Curvilinear acceleration is distinguished from the Newtonian polar conic acceleration. The difference between the two is due to the curvature term. Lorentz…
A connection between Maxwell's equations, Newton's laws, and the special theory of relativity is established with a derivation that begins with Newton's verbal enunciation of his first two laws. Derived equations are required to be…
It was shown that pedal coordinates provides natural framework in which to study force problems of classical mechanics in the plane. A trajectory of a test particle under the influence of central and Lorentz-like forces can be translated…
Many topics in planetary studies demand an estimate of the collision probability of two objects moving on nearly Keplerian orbits. In the classic works of \"Opik (1951) and Wetherill (1967), the collision probability was derived by…
Newton's theorem of revolving orbits states that one can multiply the angular speed of a Keplerian orbit by a factor $k$ by applying a radial inverse cubed force proportional to $(1-k^2)$. In this paper we derive an extension of this…
A special case of the relativistic Doppler effect, which occurs when light reflects from a moving mirror, is discussed. The classic formula for the Doppler shift is derived in a fully non-relativistic fashion using basic facts from…
In the present essay we attempt to reconstruct Newtonian mechanics under the guidance of logical principles and of a constructive approach related to the genetic epistemology of J. Piaget and R. Garc\'ia \citep{piag89}. Instead of…
The classical motion of spinning particles can be described without employing Grassmann variables or Clifford algebras, but simply by generalizing the usual spinless theory. We only assume the invariance with respect to the Poincare' group;…
The definition of a reference frame in General Relativity is achieved through the construction of a congruence of time-like world-lines. In this framework, splitting techniques enable us to express physical phenomena in analogy with Special…
Newton's potential of a massive homogeneous ellipsoid is derived via Dirichlet's discontinuous factor. At first we review part of Dirichlet's work in an English translation of the original German, and then continue with an extension of his…
A type of mechanics will be presented that possesses some distinctive properties. On the one hand, its physical description & rules of operation are readily comprehensible & intuitively clear. On the other, it fully satisfies all observable…