Planet path using netwon's law with forward method

Given the initial position (ie x1,y1) and the velocity (ie vx,vy) of the planet.
How to plot a graph of the path of the planet around the center point (0,0) assuming the center is Earth, using time step of 10s for 500000s?
formula for forward method:
x(t+dt)=x(t)+v(t)*dt
v(t+dt)=v(t)+a(t)*dt
a=GM/r^2
G = 6.67e-11, M = 5.97e24
Many thanks.

3 Comments

What code do you have so far?
Where is "r" defined?
If I recall correctly, this kind of forward prediction is unable to handle the orbit of Mercury, which has notable influence from drag of the rotational gravitational frame.
@Walter: Well, OP has Euler's method listed which isn't going to do all that great with *any* orbit.

Sign in to comment.

Answers (1)

You should look into velocity verlet methods.

Categories

Find more on Earth and Planetary Science in Help Center and File Exchange

Asked:

on 18 Feb 2012

Edited:

on 16 Oct 2013

Community Treasure Hunt

Find the treasures in MATLAB Central and discover how the community can help you!

Start Hunting!