Circular orbits in an exponential central potential

ID: circular-orbits-in-an-exponential-central-potential

For unit mass with specific angular momentum in , the effective potential is . A positive-radius circular orbit satisfies the displayed equation. Since has its unique maximum at , exactly two radii occur for . Their radial stability follows from : the inner orbit is stable at fixed angular momentum, the outer unstable. The case has no finite-radius circular orbit despite satisfying the upper bound.

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