PHYS620 Fall 2009 First Hour Exam October 14th, 2009

Please write your name on each answer sheet.

Full marks can be obtained by solving 2 problems correctly. You may attempt all three
problems. Partial credit will be given for incomplete answers but you cannot get more
than 100%.

1. Find the equation for the shortest path between the points (0, -1, 0) and (0, 1, 0) on the
conical surface z = 1 − x 2 + y 2 .

This problem is most easily solved by using cylindrical polar co-ordinates ( ρ , φ , z ) . Using
φ as the independent variable, the functional for the path length is
π 2
L=
−
∫
π 2
ρ ′ 2 + ρ 2 + z ′2 d φ .

From the constraint

g ( ρ , φ , z ) ≡ z + ρ − 1 = 0,
we have z ′ = − ρ ′. Hence
π 2
L=
−
∫
π 2
2 ρ ′2 + ρ 2 dφ .

Since the integrand is independent of φ, the alternative form of the Euler equation gives
2 2 2 ρ ′2
′
2ρ + ρ − = C.
2 ρ ′2 + ρ 2
This leads to
1  ρ4 2
ρ′ = ±  2 − ρ .
2C 
Making the substitution ρ = 1 u , this becomes
1  1 2
u′ = ∓  2 − u .
2 C 
Now make the substitution u = ( sin v ) C , to get
1
v′ = ∓ .
2
Hence
1 C C
ρ= = = ,
u sin v  φ 
sin  ∓ +α 
 2 
where α is a constant of integration. To find the constants, we make use of the path
endpoints. These give
 C
1= ,
 π 
sin  ± +α 
 2 2 
and
C
1= .
 π 
sin  ∓ +α 
 2 2 
Hence
 π   π 
sin  + α  = sin  − +α ,
2 2   2 2 
which leads to
cos α = 0,
and
 π 
C = cos   sin α .
2 2
The shortest path is then
 φ   π 
ρ cos   = cos  ,
 2 2 2
z = 1 − ρ.

Alternatively z or ρ can be used as the independent variable. In this case

1,π 2,0 2
 dφ 
∫
2
L= 2+ ρ   d ρ.
1, −π 2,0  dρ 
The Euler equation is
d  ∂ 
dρ  ∂φ ′

( 
)
2 + ρ 2φ ′2  = 0,

from which we obtain

ρ 2φ ′
= k,
2 + ρ 2φ ′2
where k is a constant. Re-arrangement gives
2k 2
φ ′2 = 2 2 2 ,
ρ (ρ − k )
which is the same as above.
2. A uniform disk of mass M and
radius R rolls without slipping down a
plane inclined from the horizontal by
an angle α . The disk has a short
weightless axle of negligible radius. θ
From this axis is suspended a simple
pendulum of length l < R and whose s
bob has mass m. Consider the motion
of the pendulum to take place in the α
plane of the disk. Using the generalized
coordinates s and θ , as shown in the figure, find Lagrange’s equations for the system.
The rotational inertia of a uniform disk of mass M and radius R about a perpendicular
axis through its center is MR2/2.

In terms of Cartesian co-ordinates with origin at the bottom of the incline, the position of
the pendulum bob is
x = s cos α − R sin α + l sin θ ,
y = s sin α + R cos α − l cos θ .
The velocity of the bob has components
xɺ = sɺ cos α + lθɺ cos θ ,
yɺ = sɺ sin α + lθɺ sin θ .
Hence the kinetic energy of the bob is
1 2 1 2
( ) (
Tbob = m sɺ cos α + lθɺ cos θ + m sɺ sin α + lθɺ sin θ
2 2
)
1
= m  sɺ 2 + 2lθɺsɺ cos (θ − α ) + l 2θɺ 2  .
2
Adding the kinetic energy of the disk, the total kinetic energy is
1 3
T = m  sɺ2 + 2lθɺsɺ cos (θ − α ) + l 2θɺ 2  + Msɺ2 .
2 4
The gravitational potential energy is
V = Mg ( s sin α + R cos α ) + mg [ s sin α + R cos α − l cos θ ]
= ( M + m ) g ( s sin α + R cos α ) − mgl cos θ .

The Lagrangian is
1 3
L = m  sɺ 2 + 2lθɺsɺ cos (θ − α ) + l 2θɺ 2  + Msɺ2 − ( M + m ) g ( s sin α + R cos α ) + mgl cos θ .
2 4

The Lagrange equations are then

d  ɺ cos (θ − α ) + 3 Msɺ  = − ( M + m ) g sin α ,
dt 
m s
ɺ + (
lθ
2
) 
and
 d
dt
( )
m lsɺ cos (θ − α ) + l 2θɺ = −mlθɺsɺ sin (θ − α ) − mgl sin θ .
These become
 3 
s + mlθɺɺ cos (θ − α ) − mlθɺ 2 sin (θ − α ) = − ( M + m ) g sin α ,
 m + M  ɺɺ
 2 
and
s cos (θ − α ) + lθɺɺ = − g sin θ .
ɺɺ

3. A particle of unit mass moves in a central force field. The path of its motion is a
logarithmic spiral given in polar coordinates by
r = eαθ ,
where α is a constant.

(a) Find the force law.

(b) Determine r ( t ) and θ ( t ) .
(c) What is the total energy of the orbit? Take the potential energy to be zero at infinity.

(a) The equations of motion in polar co-ordinates are

r − rθɺ 2 = F ( r ) ,
ɺɺ
r 2θɺ = l.
Eliminating the angular velocity
l2
r − 3 = F ( r ).
ɺɺ
r
Making the substitution u = 1/r, we have
dr ɺ dr l du
rɺ = θ= 2
= −l ,
dθ dθ r dθ
drɺ ɺ d 2u
rɺɺ = θ = −l 2 u 2 2 .
dθ dθ
Hence
2
2 2 d u
−l u 2
− l 2u 3 = F ( r ) .
dθ
The orbit is u = exp ( −αθ ) , and so
l 2 (1 + α 2 )
F ( r ) = −l u α − l u = −
2 3 2 2 3
.
r3
(b) Since r 2θɺ = l ,
exp ( 2αθ ) θɺ = l.
Hence
 exp ( 2αθ ) = 2α lt + c,
where c is a constant of integration. From this
r = eαθ = e 2αθ = 2α lt + c ,
and
1
θ= ln ( 2α lt + c ) .
2α

(c) The potential energy is

l 2 (1 + α 2 )
U =− ,
2r 2
and the kinetic energy is
1 2 2 ɺ2 1 1 l2
T=
2
( )
rɺ + r θ = ( r ′2 + r 2 ) θɺ 2 = (α 2 + 1) 2 .
2 2 r
Hence the total energy is
E = T + U = 0.
This is also easily obtained by considering the velocity at infinity.