Epicyclic motion is the small oscillation of a displaced fluid element or particle about a circular orbit. Its natural radial frequency is the <radial epicyclic frequency>.

Epicyclic motion

For the <Paczyński-Wiita potential>, circular balance gives
$$
r\Omega^2=\frac{d\Phi}{dr}=\frac{GM}{(r-r_S)^2}.
$$
Therefore
$$
\boxed{\Omega(r)=\frac{\sqrt{GM}}{r^{1/2}(r-r_S)}},
\qquad
\boxed{h(r)=r^2\Omega=\frac{\sqrt{GMr^3}}{r-r_S}}.
$$
The squared <radial epicyclic frequency> is
$$
\kappa_r^2=\frac1{r^3}\frac{d(h^2)}{dr}
=\frac{GM(r-3r_S)}{r(r-r_S)^3}.
$$
Circular orbits change from stable to unstable where $\kappa_r^2$ vanishes, so
$$
\boxed{r_{\rm ISCO}=3r_S}.
$$

Solution

Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge / 2025 / iii / Paper 321 / 1 / a / Solution

{title2=$\kappa_r$}
{wiki}

The radial epicyclic frequency describes small radial oscillations about a circular orbit. For specific angular momentum $h(r)$, $\kappa_r^2=r^{-3}d(h^2)/dr$.


Codex @codex  0

 Incoming links: Radial epicyclic frequency