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Questions tagged [laplace-runge-lenz-vector]

The Laplace–Runge–Lenz vector describes the shape and orientation of the orbit of one astronomical body around another. In general, the LRL vector is conserved (it's a constant of the motion) in all problems in which two bodies interact by a central force that varies as the inverse square of the distance between them (Kepler problem). Its conservation is significant in the quantization of the Hydrogen atom.

2 votes
1 answer
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Energy eigenvalue of hydrogen-like atoms using Laplace-Runge-Lenz vector

I have a basic question about a few calculations involving the quantum mechanical Laplace-Runge-Lenz vector. In classical mechanics there is the Laplace-Runge-Lenz vector, which for a hydrogen-like ...
Jonathan Huang's user avatar
17 votes
2 answers
3k views

What exactly are the 12 conserved quantities in the Two-Body Problem?

The Two-Body problem consists of 6 2nd-order differential equations \begin{equation} \ddot{\mathbf{r}}_1 = \frac{1}{m_1}\ \mathbf{F_g} \\ \ddot{\mathbf{r}}_2 = -\ \frac{1}{m_2}\ \mathbf{F_g} \end{...
Matías Cerioni's user avatar
-1 votes
1 answer
55 views

Runge-Lenz vector when the earth is neither at the aphelion nor at the perihelion

Assuming the earth is either at the perihelion or at the aphelion, it is easy to see the Runge-Lenz (RL) vector is directed along the line joining the perihelion and aphelion. Since the RL vector is a ...
Solidification's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
343 views

Conserved Quantities in Kepler Problem?

In our classical mechanics class, professor said that Kepler's problem is a kind of Integrable System such that the number of conserved quantities would be equal to the number of degrees of freedom. ...
Ting-Kai Hsu's user avatar
4 votes
0 answers
129 views

Why Kepler problem is equivalent to a free particle on 4 dimensional sphere?

In trying to understand Laplace-Runge-Lenz vector, I read in Wikipedia that the Kepler problem is mathematically equivalent to a particle moving freely on the surface of a four dimensional hypersphere....
EB97's user avatar
  • 449
2 votes
2 answers
213 views

Quantum Analog to Kepler's First Law

According to Kepler's First Law, the orbit of a planet is an ellipse round the sun with the sun at one focus. There's an inherent asymmetry in this. Instead of the sun being in the dead center, its ...
R. Romero's user avatar
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1 vote
1 answer
400 views

Component-free computation of Poisson bracket of Laplace-Runge-Lenz vector

How can the Poisson bracket $\{A,H\}$ be computed directly without components, where $H$ is the Hamiltonian for the inverse square force, $$H=\frac{p^2}{2m} - \frac{k}{|r|}\ ,$$ and $A$ is the ...
Gauge's user avatar
  • 93
3 votes
1 answer
152 views

Is the Laplace-Runge-Lenz vector applicable for test particle motion around black holes?

In classical mechanics , the Laplace-Runge-Lenz (LRL) vector is a characteristic feature of the Kepler problem. This enables a very simple discussion of the properties of the orbit for the problem. It ...
Richard's user avatar
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3 votes
1 answer
407 views

Solving Hydrogen atom with ladder operators

Start with a system I fairly understood, the harmonic oscillator. Here all possible states fulfilling the eigenvalue-equation $H |n\rangle = E_n |n\rangle$ are given by $$|n\rangle = \dfrac{1}{\sqrt{n!...
Leon's user avatar
  • 462
0 votes
0 answers
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Relation between $SO(4)$ symmetry and conservation of LRL (Lagrangian-Runge-Lentz) vector [duplicate]

In this answer, conservation of LRL vector (classical and quantum) $$ \vec A=\frac1{2m}(\vec p\times \vec L-\vec L\times \vec p)-\frac{q^2}{r}\hat r, $$ was related to $SO(4)$ symmetry, but no further ...
Luessiaw's user avatar
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1 vote
1 answer
267 views

Symmetry and Symplectic Group of Hydrogenic Atom

New version of the question: A simmetry needs to be canonical, following the first answer of this post which states: the symmetry requirement is not necessary in the definition of canonical ...
Matteo's user avatar
  • 77
1 vote
1 answer
193 views

Why Laplace-Runge-Lenz vector in a circular motion is $0$?

This vector is the sum of two vectors, and I understand why their direction is opposite, but I don't understand why their magnitude is the same. I know that the direction of this vector is always the ...
EB97's user avatar
  • 449
2 votes
0 answers
99 views

Hydrogen atom as a free particle moving on a three dimensional sphere?

I have heard on various occasions that the Hamiltonian/Lagrangian of the Hydrogen atom or that of a particle moving in $1/r$-potential can be transformed into that of a free particle moving on the ...
Solidification's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
220 views

Is this really $SO(4)$ algebra?

The commutation relations involving the components of Runge-Lenz vector of the Hydrogen atom problem, ${\vec A}$ and the angular momentum ${\vec L}$ are given by $$ [L_i,L_j]=i\hslash\varepsilon_{ijk}...
Solidification's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
325 views

How to relate Laplace-Runge-Lenz vector to eccentricity?

So the eccentricity can be written in this form $$\mathbf{e}=\frac{\mathbf{A}}{mk} =\frac{1}{mk}(\mathbf{p}\times\mathbf{L})-\hat{\mathbf{r}}$$ but I cannot find a proof or figure it out on my own.
Joel stacey's user avatar

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