New solutions to the central force problem: a class of generalized conic trajectories (Q6057811)

In this paper, new solutions to the central force problem are detailed. These solutions correspond to a class of curves which is obtained by the generalization of a geometric property of conics. This class contains a wide variety of well-known curves and in particular admits the logarithmic spiral as a limiting case. After the geometric approach, the author details the geometric property of conics, and the method which leads to the mathematical expression of the curves. These correspond, in the general case, to the parameters given with $k=n-1$, $m=1/(1-n)$, $n\neq 1$, and in particular case $n=1$, to a logarithmic spiral. In continuation, the author presents the major result of the paper studying the dynamics on these trajectories, and he uses a classical method based on Siacci's theorem. The corresponding central force law connects in a single mathematical relationship three basic central force laws: the restoring, the inverse square, and the inverse cubic, corresponding respectively to the case $n=-1$ (ellipse defined from its center), $n=0$ (ellipse defined from one of its foci) and $n=1$ (logarithmic spiral). Finally, the paper presents several trajectories with the central forces that have been obtained, and there is a discussion of the results in comparison with previous works. The results are relevant to the fields of celestial mechanics and orbital dynamics.