Dynamical Friction in Stellar Systems: an introduction

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dc.creatorAceves, Hector
dc.creatorColosimo, Maria
dc.date2006-03-09
dc.date.accessioned2026-07-07T07:07:37Z
dc.date.available2026-07-07T07:07:37Z
dc.descriptionAn introductory exposition of Chandrasekhar's gravitational dynamical friction, appropriate for an undergraduate class in mec hanics, is presented. This friction results when a massive particle moving through a ``sea'' of much lighter star particles experiences a retarding force du to an exchange of energy and momentum. General features of dynamical friction are presented, both in an elementary and in a more elaborate way using hyperbolic two-body interactions. The orbital decay of a massive particle in an homogeneous gravitational system is solved analytically, that leads to an underdamped harmonic oscillator type of motion. A numerical integration of the equation of motion in a more realistic c ase is done. These results are compared to those of an N-body computer simulation. Several problems and projects are suggested to students for further st udy.
dc.description10 pages, 5 figures. Submitted to Am. J. Phys
dc.identifierhttps://arxiv.org/abs/physics/0603066
dc.identifierhttp://arxiv.org/abs/physics/0603066
dc.identifier.urihttp://salesiana.dossiersoluciones.com/handle/123456789/110460
dc.subjectClassical Physics
dc.subjectComputational Physics
dc.titleDynamical Friction in Stellar Systems: an introduction
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