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  1. Using polar coordinates in the plane, infinitesimal distances are

    displaymath287

    For the central force potential V(r), we thus have

    eqnarray14

    The conjugate momenta are

    eqnarray27

    Thus

    eqnarray35

    is the conserved energy.

    Hamilton's equations give

    displaymath291

    The equations on the right just reproduce the relations between tex2html_wrap_inline293 and tex2html_wrap_inline295 , tex2html_wrap_inline297 and tex2html_wrap_inline299 . Using them to eliminate momenta and substitute into the Hamilton's equations on the left gives

    eqnarray71

    reproducing the Euler-Lagrange equations in Equation 3.40.

    1. In cylindrical coordinates, infinitesimal distances are

      displaymath301

      Here tex2html_wrap_inline303 is constant and tex2html_wrap_inline305 so we have

      displaymath307

      For the gravitational potential mgz, we thus have

      eqnarray99

      This Lagrangian has partial derivatives

      displaymath311

      giving Euler-Lagrange equation

      displaymath313

      or

      displaymath315

    2. The conjugate momentum is

      displaymath317

      so

      eqnarray147

      is the conserved energy.

    3. Hamilton's equations give

      displaymath319

      The equation on the right just reproduces the relations between tex2html_wrap_inline321 and tex2html_wrap_inline323 . Eliminating tex2html_wrap_inline323 in Hamilton's equation on the left gives

      displaymath327

      reproducing the Euler-Lagrange equation in part (a).


    4. tex2html_wrap407 tex2html_wrap409

      Only the component of gravity parallel to the wire gives an unopposed force accelerating the bead; that component is tex2html_wrap_inline339 . Then only the vertical component of the unopposed force accelerates the z-component; this is tex2html_wrap_inline343 . Thus wise application of Newton II leads to

      displaymath345

      in agreement with the equation of motion from parts (a) and (c).

    1. tex2html_wrap_inline347

      which has asymptotes tex2html_wrap_inline349 decreasing from infinity for small r, and cr diverging to infinity as tex2html_wrap_inline355 . In between the decreasing behavior at small r and the increasing behavior at large r must be a turnover point where tex2html_wrap_inline361 has a minimum. The potential thus looks as sketched above, with bound orbits for all allowed energies.

    2. The circular orbit occurs at the minimum of the effective potential:

      displaymath363

      giving a minimum at

      displaymath365

      It has period

      displaymath367

    3. displaymath369

      which is positive, indicating a stable orbit. Thus

      displaymath371

      Since these frequencies are not rational multiples, the near-circular orbits never close (become periodic).

    1. tex2html_wrap_inline373

      which has asymptotes tex2html_wrap_inline349 decreasing from infinity for small r, and tex2html_wrap_inline379 diverging to infinity as tex2html_wrap_inline355 . In between the decreasing behavior at small r and the increasing behavior at large r must be a turnover point where tex2html_wrap_inline361 has a minimum. The potential thus looks as sketched above, with bound orbits for all allowed energies.

    2. The circular orbit occurs at the minimum of the effective potential:

      displaymath389

      giving a minimum at

      displaymath391

      It has period

      displaymath393

    3. displaymath395

      Evaluating this at tex2html_wrap_inline397 gives

      displaymath399

      so that

      displaymath401

    tex2html_wrap415 tex2html_wrap417




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Next: About this document

Katherine Benson
Wed Apr 3 21:01:56 EST 2002