This intricate mystery has its origins in Newton’s laws of motion and in the law of universal gravitation. As we know, these are the foundations of classical physics and provide a strategic point for many phenomena. Among these we find the movement of planets around a star, defined by scientists as the two-body problem. Through their resolution it is possible to predict theevolution of the system starting from the initial conditions.
The mystery of the three-body problem
It may seem like a “recent” addition, but the arrival of a third body complicates the situation to the point of rendering impossible find a solution to the puzzle. Find a way to predict behavior of three objects, all under the mutual influence of motion forces, seems like an unattainable goal.
Over time it was possible to resolve specific cases, yet it has still not been possible to proceed with the three-body problem in general terms. Despite this impossibility, the enigma represents a cornerstone for the mathematical sector and that of theoretical physicsespecially since the question was posed in terms of stability of the system Earth–moon–Sun and in general of the whole Solar system. This assonance encouraged the formation of new instruments such as the perturbation theory. And there’s more. Thanks to this process it was possible to predict the existence of Trojan asteroids in the orbit of the planet Jupiter, with the intervention of Joseph–Louis Lagrange.
The infamous three-body problem also concerns the quantum mechanics. In particular, regarding the general theory of relativity near black holes and in the atom of helium. Continuous discoveries and scientific challenges continue to revolve around this “problem” which over the years continues to lead to scenarios for understanding the mysteries of the universe.
