\[\mu = \frac{m_1 m_2}{m_1 + m_2}\]
Variables
mureduced mass (kg)
m1first mass (kg)
m2second mass (kg)
Description
What is this formula?
The reduced mass equation calculates the equivalent inertial mass of a two-body system. It simplifies the analysis of orbital motion and interacting particles.
When to use it
Use this formula when studying two-body dynamics, orbital mechanics, atomic physics, molecular systems, or vibration problems involving interacting masses.
Example
Two interacting bodies have masses of 4 kg and 6 kg.
Data:
m1 = 4 kg
m2 = 6 kg
Formula:
mu = (m1*m2)/(m1+m2)
Substitution:
mu = (4*6)/(4+6)
Result:
mu = 2.4 kg
Applications
Orbital mechanics, quantum mechanics, molecular physics, vibration analysis, astrophysics, and advanced mechanics.