Classical Dynamics of Particles and Systems · Problem 5-10

Calculus of Variations — Marion & Thornton

Physics — Mechanics · gravitational-potential-ring-off-axis

Problem

Find the potential at off-axis points due to a thin circular ring of radius aa and mass MM. Let RR be the distance from the center of the ring to the field point, and let θ\theta be the angle between the line connecting the center of the ring with the field point and the axis of the ring. Assume R≫aR \gg a so that terms of order (a/R)3(a/R)^3 and higher may be neglected.

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