An introduction to dynamical friction in stellar systems

Details An introduction to dynamical friction in stellar systems An introduction to dynamical friction in stellar systems

Feb 2007

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2007amjph..75..139a&link_type=abstract

American Journal of Physics, Volume 75, Issue 2, pp. 139-147 (2007).

Physics

Stellar Systems, Interstellar Medium, Galactic And Extragalactic Objects And Systems, The Universe

Scientific paper

An introductory exposition of Chandrasekhar's gravitational dynamical friction, appropriate for an undergraduate class in mechanics, is presented. This friction results when a heavy particle moving through a ``sea'' of much lighter star particles experiences a retarding force due to the exchange of energy and momentum. The general features of dynamical friction are presented, both in an elementary and in a more elaborate way using a hyperbolic two-body interaction. The orbital decay of a heavy particle in a homogeneous gravitational system is solved analytically, which leads to damped harmonic oscillator motion. Numerical integration of the equation of motion in a more realistic case is done. The results are compared to those of an N-body computer simulation. Several problems and projects are suggested for further study.

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