Two-body problem facts for kids

The two-body problem is a problem from classical mechanics: there are two bodies which influence each other. Very often they attract or repel each other. In many cases they rotate. The problem uses bodies which are circles, or spheres. Solving the problem is possible for many situations, but it usually involves higher level mathematics.

Simplification: One body has a mass that is much smaller

When one of the two bodies has a mass that is much smaller, the influence of this smaller body on the larger one is very small, and can be disregarded. In such a case, the problem can be reformulated as a one-centre problem, where there is a stationary big body in the centre, and a small body orbiting around the big one. This setting is very comon. Johannes Kepler was the first person to formulate and solve it. For this reason, it is also known as Kepler problem.

General solution for the two-body problem

Isaac Newton was the first person to solve to the general two-body problem.

Three or more bodies

Looking at the generalizations, there are two other problems which are related:

• The three-body problem (three bodies influence each other): This problem can only be solved exactly for few very special cases. It needs to be approximated for the other ones.
• The n-body problem: n bodies inflience each other: No solutions exist for the general case.

See also

In Spanish: Problema de los dos cuerpos para niños