Two-body problem

The two-body problem determines the motion of two particles interacting only with one another. For a central force it separates into uniform centre-of-mass motion and one relative-coordinate problem with the reduced mass.

Two equal point masses can move around the same fixed circle of radius $a$ in diametrically opposite positions. Their stationary centre of mass is the circle's center. A separation $2a$ gives gravitational force $G{m}^2/(4a^2)$ on each mass, and Newton's second law equates it to $ma{\omega }^2$. The common angular speed is therefore fixed by the displayed relation. Opposite tangential velocities produce the same sense of angular rotation.

Two point masses released from rest at separation $a$ have negative mechanical energy $-G{m}_1{m}_2/a$ but collide in time $\pi \sqrt{a^3/[8G(m_1+m_2)]}$. Their separation approaches zero along a regular trajectory before collision. The energy sign alone therefore does not supply a positive lower separation bound.