Dynamics and Relativity Mathematical Tripos, Part IA
Professor Peter Haynes Lent Term 2021
Example Sheet 1
[Example Sheet 1 is based on (approximately) Lectures 1-7 of the course.]
1. In one spatial dimension, two frames of reference S and S ′ have coordinates (x, t) and
(x′ , t′ ) respectively. The coordinates are related by
x′ = f (x, t) and t′ = t .
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Viewed in frame S, a particle follows a trajectory x = x(t). It has velocity v = dx/dt and
acceleration a = d2 x/dt2 . Viewed in S ′ , the trajectory is x′ = f (x(t), t). Using the chain
rule, show that the velocity and acceleration of the particle in S ′ are given by
′ dx′ ∂f ∂f ′ d 2 x′ ∂f 2
2∂ f ∂ 2f ∂ 2f
v = ′ =v + , a = ′2 = a +v + 2v + 2 .
dt ∂x ∂t dt ∂x ∂x2 ∂x ∂t ∂t
Suppose now that both S and S ′ are inertial frames. Explain why the function f must
obey ∂ 2 f /∂x2 = ∂ 2 f /∂x ∂t = ∂ 2 f /∂t2 = 0. What is the most general form of f with
these properties? Interpret this result.
2. A particle of mass m, charge q and position x(t) moves in both a uniform magnetic
field B, which points in a horizontal direction, and a uniform gravitational field g, which
points vertically downwards. Write down the equation of motion and show that it is
invariant under translations x 7→ x + x0 . Show that
ẋ = ω x × n + g t + a ,
where ω = qB/m is the gyrofrequency, n is a unit vector in the direction of B, and a is
a constant vector. Show also that, with a suitable choice of origin, a can be written in
the form a = a n.
By choosing suitable axes, show that the particle undergoes a helical motion together
with a constant horizontal drift perpendicular to B.
Suppose that you now wish to eliminate the drift by imposing a uniform electric field E.
Determine the direction and magnitude of E.
3. A satellite falls freely towards the Earth starting from rest at a distance R, much
larger than the Earth’s radius. Treating the Earth as a point of mass M , use dimensional
analysis to show that the time T taken by the satellite to reach the Earth is given by
3 1/2
R
T =C ,
GM
where G is the gravitational constant and C is a dimensionless constant. (You will need
the fact that the acceleration due to the Earth’s gravitational field at a distance r from
the centre of the Earth is GM/r2 .)
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What is the equation of energy
√ conservation for the satellite? By solving this differential
equation, show that C = π/2 2.
4. A particle of mass m experiences a force field
a 2b
F (r) = − 2 + 3 r̂ ,
r r
where r̂ = r/r is a unit vector in the radial direction and a and b are positive constants.
Show, by finding a potential energy V (r) such that F = −∇V , that F is conservative.
(You will need the result ∇r = r̂.)
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Sketch V (r) and describe qualitatively the possible motions of the particle moving in the
radial direction, considering different initial positions and velocities. If the particle starts
at r = 2b/a, what is the minimum speed that it must have in order to escape to infinity?
5. A ball of mass m moves, under gravity, in a resistive medium that produces a frictional
force of magnitude kv 2 , where v is the ball’s speed. If the ball is projected vertically
upwards with initial speed u, show by dimensional analysis that when the ball returns to
its point of projection, its speed w can be written in the form
w = uf (λ) ,
where λ = ku2 /mg.
Integrate the equation of motion to show that f (λ) = (1 + λ)−1/2 . [Hint: Thinking about
v as a function of time may not be the easiest approach.]. Discuss what happens in the
two extremes λ ≫ 1 and λ ≪ 1.
6. At time t = 0, an insect of mass m jumps from a point O on the ground with velocity
v, while a wind blows with constant velocity u. The gravitational acceleration is g and
the air exerts a drag force on the insect equal to mk times the velocity of the wind relative
to the insect.
(a) Show that the path of the insect is given by
g 1 − e−kt g
x= u+ t+ v−u− .
k k k
(b) In the case where the insect jumps vertically in a horizontal wind, show that the
time T that elapses before it returns to the ground (which is also horizontal) satisfies
kT
1 − e−kT = ,
1+λ
where λ = kv/g. Find an expression for the horizontal range R in terms of λ, u and
T . (Here v = |v|, g = |g| and u = |u|.)
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7. (Additional question – attempt only after 1-6.) A long time ago in a galaxy far,
far away, a Death Star was constructed. Its surrounding force field caused any particle at
position r relative to the centre of the Death Star to experience an acceleration
r̈ = λ r × ṙ ,
where λ is a constant. Show that the particle moves in this force field with constant
speed. Show also that the magnitude of its acceleration is constant.
(a) A particle is projected radially with speed v from a point r = R r̂ on the surface of
the Death Star. Show that its trajectory is given by
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r = (R + vt) r̂ .
(b) By considering the second derivative of r · r show that, for any particle moving in the
force field, the distance r from the centre of the Death Star is given by
r2 = v 2 (t − t0 )2 + r02 ,
where t0 and r0 are constants and v is the speed of the particle. Obtain an expression
for r · ṙ and show that |r̈| = λr0 v.
Please send any comments and corrections to [email protected]
