Pedal equation for a central-force orbit ($p^{-2}=2m(E-V)/h^2$)

Let $p$ be the perpendicular distance from the force centre to the tangent of a regular planar orbit. Conserved physical angular momentum has magnitude $|h|=mpv$, while conserved energy is $E=m{v}^2/2+V(r)$. Eliminating speed gives the displayed equation when $h\ne 0$. For a differentiable polar curve, $p=r^2/\sqrt{r^2+(dr/d\theta {)}^2}$, connecting the geometric tangent distance to the radial energy equation.