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Convex Four-Body Central Configurations with Some Equal Masses

Archive for Rational Mechanics and Analysis volume 185, pages 481–494 (2007)Cite this article

Abstract

We prove that there is an unique convex noncollinear central configuration of the planar Newtonian four-body problem when two equal masses are located at opposite vertices of a quadrilateral and, at most, only one of the remaining masses is larger than the equal masses. Such a central configuration possesses a symmetry line and it is a kite-shaped quadrilateral. We also show that there is exactly one convex noncollinear central configuration when the opposite masses are equal. Such a central configuration also possesses a symmetry line and it is a rhombus.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Matemáticas, UAM–Iztapalapa, A.P. 55–534, 09340, Iztapalapa, Mexico, D.F., Mexico

    Ernesto Perez-Chavela

  2. Department of Mathematics, Wilfrid Laurier University, 75 University Avenue West, ON, Waterloo, Canada

    Manuele Santoprete

Authors
  1. Ernesto Perez-Chavela
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  2. Manuele Santoprete
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Correspondence to Ernesto Perez-Chavela.

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Communicated by P. Rabinowitz

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Perez-Chavela, E., Santoprete, M. Convex Four-Body Central Configurations with Some Equal Masses. Arch Rational Mech Anal 185, 481–494 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00205-006-0047-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00205-006-0047-z

Keywords

  • Relative Equilibrium
  • Body Problem
  • Equal Mass
  • Symmetry Line
  • Central Configuration