Radial and angular acceleration A spot moves on the xy plane. It is at R radius and T angle in radians. y = R * Sin[T] Take first derivative with respect to time. y' = first derivative y'' = second derivative Use radians y' = R' * Sin[T] + R * Cos[T] * T' Take second derivative y'' = R''* Sin[T] + R' * Cos[T] * T' + R' * Cos[T] * T'' - R * Sin[T] *(T')^2 + R * Cos[T] * T'' Collect Sin and Cos terms y''= Cos[T] * ( R * T'' + 2 * R' * T' ) + Sin[T] * ( R'' - R * (T')^2 ) Angular acceleration = ( R * T'' + 2 * R' * T' ) Radial acceleration = ( R'' - R * (T')^2 ) R*T^2=v^2/R In an orbit, angular acceleration = zero since no force exists other than gravity, which is in a radial direction. ================== p= semilatus rectum = q * ( 1 + e ) = 0.5106 AU R' = dR/dt = k * e * Sin[T] AU/day T' = k *SQRT[p]/R^2 radians/day