Lab Problems

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Use the SOS applet to study the types of orbits found in a logarithmic potential.
  1. Start with the singular logarithmic potential. Use an axisymmetric potential.
    • characterize the kinds of orbits you find (loop orbits? box orbits? boxlets?).
    • use progressively more flattened potentials. How do the orbits change?
    • for a given shape, look at the orbit structure at different energies. How do the orbits change as you change energy?

  2. Now look at the logarithmic potential with a core.
    • characterize the orbit content of the model as you go from a round to a flattened potential.
    • characterize how the orbit content changes as you change energy.

  3. Look at the logarithmic potential with a core and an axis ratio of 0.7.
    • What is the orbit content of this model.
    • Now turn on the black hole. How do the orbits change? Why do the orbits change? What does this mean for the evolution of such a galaxy with a black hole?