For K-12 Students · Lagrange Points
Lagrange Points for a Lagrange point
Built for k-12 students learning it in middle or high school. Watch the idea come alive with plain-language steps and everyday examples — perfect for projects and homework. Simulate a Lagrange point live below — adjust the inputs and watch it respond, right in your browser.
Lagrange PointsLive
restricted three-body problem
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In a two-body system, five points let a small object stay fixed in the rotating frame. L1-L3 sit on the line through the two masses (unstable); L4 and L5 lead and trail the secondary by 60° and are stable for μ below 0.0385 — where Jupiter's Trojan asteroids live. JWST orbits the Sun-Earth L2.
Data Inspector
μ = m₂/(m₁+m₂)0.150
L4/L5 stable?no
Points5
Governing equation
Reading this result: At μ=0.150 the masses are too comparable: even L4 and L5 turn unstable, so every Lagrange point here needs active station-keeping to hold a spacecraft in place.
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- Is this good for k-12 students?
- Yes — this version of "Lagrange Points for a Lagrange point" is framed for k-12 students learning it in middle or high school. Watch the idea come alive with plain-language steps and everyday examples — perfect for projects and homework.
- Do I need to install anything?
- No. It runs in any modern browser, free, with no account required.