<i>N</i>-body linear force law allowing analytic solutions

We present a pairwise force law in a system of N particles that produces analytic solutions for an arbitrary number of particles, masses, and initial conditions. Each pair of particles interacts via a force that is proportional to the product of their masses and their separation distance, with the force directed radially. We show that, despite the N-body interaction, each particle behaves as if it interacts only with the center of mass of the system. This effective one-body interaction behaves as Hooke's law with a common frequency for all particles, with the familiar analytic solutions for the trajectories. With these analytic solutions, it is possible to efficiently simulate a collection of these particles and incorporate other external forces. As an example, we simulate the particles within an adiabatically expanding container and calculate pressure and temperature in both the attractive and repulsive cases.

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Publication Details

Journal
American Journal of Physics
Published
2025-04-22
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1119/5.0226894
Citations
1
Primary Topic
Quantum chaos and dynamical systems
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
1.32
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article

N-body linear force law allowing analytic solutions

Sean P. Bartz, Joseph J. West
1 citations
American Journal of Physics
Quantum chaos and dynamical systems
1.32
article

N-body linear force law allowing analytic solutions

Sean P. Bartz, Joseph J. West
article en
1 citations

Abstract

We present a pairwise force law in a system of N particles that produces analytic solutions for an arbitrary number of particles, masses, and initial conditions. Each pair of particles interacts via a force that is proportional to the product of their masses and their separation distance, with the force directed radially. We show that, despite the N-body interaction, each particle behaves as if it interacts only with the center of mass of the system. This effective one-body interaction behaves as Hooke's law with a common frequency for all particles, with the familiar analytic solutions for the trajectories. With these analytic solutions, it is possible to efficiently simulate a collection of these particles and incorporate other external forces. As an example, we simulate the particles within an adiabatically expanding container and calculate pressure and temperature in both the attractive and repulsive cases.

American Journal of PhysicsVol. 93(5)
Indiana State University (US)
Openalex Percentile: Top 20%
Quantum chaos and dynamical systems
1.32
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<i>N</i>-body linear force law allowing analytic solutions — Sean P. Bartz, Joseph J. West · American Journal of Physics (2025) | TGRS Research Map | TGRS