PH 111: Tutorial Sheet 5

Soln slides

PH 111: Tutorial Sheet 5 Soln slides

Problem 1

1 In the lectures, we argued that the eective potential for the

central force problem is
L2
Ve (r ) = + V (r ),
2µ r 2
where V (r ) is the potential energy corresponding to the
central force, and L is the angular momentum. Consider the
case of gravitational motion so that V (r ) = − Cr , with C > 0.
Plot the eective potential as a function of r , and argue based
upon the plot that for E ≥ 0, orbits will be unbound, while for
E < 0, we will obtain bound orbits, where E is the total energy
of the system.
Problem 1: Soln

2
1 A representative plot of Ve (r ) = 2Lµ r 2 + V (r ), where
V (r ) = − Gmr1 m2 = − Cr , with C > 0 is presented below. Plots
2
of − Cr and 2Lµ r 2 , are also presented in the same gure. Note
that in the gure, what we call Ve , has been denoted as Ue .
Problem 1: Soln...

1 Two important general points can be made:

1 centrifugal potential energy
L2 is always a positive quantity,
2µ r 2
while the gravitational potential energy − Cr is always a
negative quantity. Therefore, eective potential energy Ve (r ),
which is a sum of both, has both positive and negative values,
and has a minimum with respect to r.
2 For any value of total energy, the particle cannot be in the
region where Ve (r ) > E , because then to keep total energy
E = 12 µ ṙ 2 + Ve (r ) constant, kinetic energy 12 µ ṙ 2 will have to
be negative, which means imaginary value of velocity ṙ .
Because of this, particle will turn back from the points r for
which E = Ve (r ). These points are called turning points.
Problem 1: Soln

Let us calculate the minimum of Ve (r )

∂ Ve (r ) L2 C
=− 3 + 2 =0
∂r µr r
L2
=⇒ rmin =
µC
min = V (r ) = L C L µ 2C 2 µC
2 2  
=⇒ Ve e min − = −C
2µ rmin rmin 2µ
2 L 4 L2
µC 2
=−
2L2
Problem 1: Soln...

Let us consider four possible cases:

Case I, E>0: From the graph it is obvious that for this case
we have only one turning point, therefore, the motion will be
unbound. We know from lectures that the orbit here is
hyperbola.
Case II, E=0: Again from the graph above it is clear that we
have only one turning point for this case, implying that the
motion is unbound. From the lectures we know that the orbit
for this case is a parabola.
Case III, 0>E>Ve min : For this case, clearly there are two
turning points, and because, due to conservation of angular
momentum, the motion is conned in a plane for central force
motion, this clearly implies a bound orbit. For planar motion,
only bound orbit with two turning points is an ellipse. Thus
motion is along an elliptic orbit.
Problem 1: Soln...

Case IV, E=Ve

min : Clearly, here there is only one possible
value of radial distance r = rmin . Because
E = 12 µ ṙ 2 + Ve = Vemin =⇒ ṙ = 0, which means that there is
no radial motion for this case. Only orbit which satises this
condition is a circle. Another way to approach this problem is
by force considerations. If the particle is executing circular
motion, then the centripetal force is provided by the
gravitational force
µv 2 C
=
r r2
C
=⇒ r= 2
µv
dividing previous equation by r 2 on both sides
1 C Cµ Cµ
= = =
r µv r
2 2 v r
µ2 2 2 L2
L2
=⇒ r= = rmin
Cµ
Problem 1: Soln...

2
Case IV: Contd.: rmin = CLµ is the same result, as derived
above.
Note that we have used the value of the orbital angular
momentum to be L = µ vr .
Problem 2

Problem 2: Suppose a satellite is moving around a planet in a

circular orbit of radius r0 . Due to a collision with another
object, satellite's orbit gets perturbed. Show that the radial
position of the satellite will execute simple harmonic motion
with ω = mrL 2 , where L is the initial angular momentum of the
0
satellite.
Soln: Because it is a small perturbation, we can Taylor
expand the potential energy of the satellite around r0 = rmin
∂V 1 ∂ 2 Ve 
 
Ve (r ) = Vmin + (r − rmin ) e

+ +···
∂r 2 ∂ r 2 r =r

r =r

min min
Problem 2: Soln...

Note that
∂ Ve

=0

∂r

r =r

min

∂ 2 Ve  3L2 2C 3L2 µ 4 C 4 µ 3C 3

    
= − = − 2C
∂ r 2 r =rmin
µ rmin
4 rmin
3 µ L8 L6
µ 3C 4
=
L6
But above we showed C = L2
µ r min , therefore,

∂ 2 Ve µ3 L8 L2
  

= =
∂r2 L6 µ 4 rmin
4 µ rmin
4

r =r

min

but rmin = r0 , therefore, after perturbation

L2
Ve (r ) ≈ Vmin + (r − r0 )2
2µ r04
Problem 2: Soln....

Thus, the radial equation of motion of the perturbed orbit

∂ Ve (r ) L2
µr̈ = − = − 4 (r − r0 )
∂r µ r0

Dene x = r − r0 , we obtain from above

ẍ + ω 2 x ,
where ω = µLr 2 . Given the fact that µ = mmM
+M ≈ m, because
0
m ≪ M , where M is the mass of the planet. Thus ω = mrL02 ,
and equation above denotes simple harmonic motion about
r = r0 , with frequency ω .
Problem 3

Problem 3: In this problem we will explore an alternative way

of obtaining the equation of the curve corresponding to the
central force orbits.
(a) Make a change of variable u = 1r and show that the u − θ
dierential equation for a central force F(r) = f (r )r̂ is
d 2u 1
+u = − 2 2f ( )
µ
dθ 2 uL u
Soln: The radial equation is
d 2r
− µ r θ̇ 2 = f (r ), (1)
dt 2
µ
Problem 3: Soln

while the angular equation leads to

µ r 2 θ̇ = L (2)
L
θ̇ = (3)
µr 2

Substituting Eq. 3 in Eq. 1, we have

d 2 r L2
− = f (r ) (4)
dt 2 µ r 3
µ

Substitute r = u1 in Eq. 4
d2 1 L2 u 3 1
 
− =f( ) (5)
dt u u
µ 2
µ

Now,
d 1 1 du 1 du d θ
 
=− =− 2 (6)
dt u u 2 dt u d θ dt
Problem 3: Soln

Using Eq. 3 in Eq. 6, we obtain

d 1 1 du L Lu 2 du L du
 
=− =− =− (7)
dt u u dθ µr
2 2 µ u2 d θ µ dθ
Similarly
d2 1 d d 1 d d 1 dθ
       
= = (8)
dt 2 u dt dt u d θ dt u dt
Using Eqs. 3 and 7 in 8, we have
d2 1 d L du Lu 2 L2 u 2 d 2 u
   
= − =− 2 (9)
dt 2 u dθ µ dθ µ µ dθ2
1 Substituting Eq 9 in Eq. 5, we obtain the desired result
L2 u 2 d 2 u L2 u 3 1
− − =f( )
µ dθ 2 µ u
d u
2 1
+u = − 2 2f ( )
µ
=⇒
dθ2 Lu u
Problem 3: Soln....

(b) Integrate this dierential equation for the case of

gravitational force (f (r ) = − rC2 ), and show that it leads to the
same orbit as obtained in the lectures
r0
r=
1 − ε cos θ
Soln: For gravitational force f (u ) = −Cu 2 , so that
d 2u µC 1
+u = 2 = .
dθ 2 L r0
Dene u ′ = u − r10 , so that

d 2u′ ′
+u = 0
dθ2
Problem 3: Soln

Which implies
1
u ′ (θ ) = A sin θ + B cos θ = cos(θ − θ0 )
F
1 1 1
=⇒ − = cos(θ − θ0 )
r r0 F
1 1 1
= + cos(θ − θ0 ),
r r0 F
where F is a constant with dimensions of length. With
suitable choice of θ0 , this equation can be put in the form
r0
r=
1 − ε cos θ
Problem 4: Soln

Problem 4: A particle of mass m is moving under the

inuence of a central force F(r) = − rC3 r̂, with C > 0. Find the
nonzero values of angular momentum L for which the particle
will move in a circular orbit.
Soln: For this, the potential energy can be obtained as
Z r Z r
dr ′ C r C

V (r ) = − F (r )dr
′ ′
=C = − = − 2.
∞ ∞ r ′ 3 2r ∞
2  2r
The eective potential energy for this case
L2 C
Ve (r ) = − .
2 µ r 2 2r 2
Problem 4: Soln...

We know that for the circular orbit, the total energy must be
equal to the minimum of the eective potential energy, which
can be found by
∂ Ve (r ) L2 C
=− 3 + 3 =0
∂r µr r
=⇒ L = µ C .
p

Thus, if the system has this angular momentum, circular orbit

of any radius is possible.
Problem 5: Soln

Problem 5: A geostationary orbit is one in which a satellite

moves in a circular orbit at the given height in the equatorial
plane, so that its angular velocity of rotation around earth is
same as earth's angular velocity, thereby, making it look
stationary when seen from a point on equator. Assuming that
the earth's rotational velocity, and radius, respectively, are
2π
Ωe = 86400 rad/s, andRe = 6400 km, calculate the altitude of
the satellite, and its orbital velocity.
Soln: The radius of the circular orbit is obtained by the force
condition
GMe m mv 2
=
r2 r
GMe
=⇒ r = 2
v
Problem 5: Soln...

For geostationary satellite v = Ωe r , therefore,

GMe
r=
Ω2e r 2
GMe
 1/3
=⇒ r=
Ω2e

But r = h + Re , where h is the needed altitude, and Re is the

radius of the earth, and GMe = gRe2 , therefore
1/3
gRe2

h= − Re .
Ω2e

Using the values g = 9.8 m/s2 , Re = 6.4 × 106 m, and

2π
Ωe = 86400 s−1 , we obtain h ≈ 35850 km.
And orbital speed of the satellite
v = r Ωe = (35850 + 6400) × 106 × 86400
2π
= 3070 m/s
Problem 6: Soln
Problem 6: A space company wants to launch a satellite of
mass m = 2000 kg, in an elliptical orbit around earth, so that
the altitude of the satellite above earth at perigee is 1100 kms,
and at apogee it is 35,850 kms. Assuming that the launch
takes place at the equator, calculate: (a) energy of the
satellite in the elliptical orbit, (b) energy required to launch
the satellite, (c) eccentricity of the orbit, (d) angular
momentum of the satellite, and (e) speeds of the satellite at
apogee and perigee. Use the values of Re and Ωe specied in
the previous problem.
Soln: (a) We showed in the lectures that for the gravitational
potential energy of the form
C
V (r ) = − ,
r
the energy of a mass moving in an elliptical orbit is
C
E =− ,
A
where A is the major axis of the ellipse.
Problem 6: Soln...

In this case C = GMe m = Re2 gm, where m is the mass of the

satellite. This elliptical orbit is about earth, with earth's center
as one of its foci. Thus, A will be sum of earth's diameter,
altitude at perigee, and altitude at apogee
A = (1100 + 2 × 6400 + 35, 850) × 103 = 5 × 107 m.
Therefore,
9.8 × (6.4 × 106 )2 × 2000
Eorb = − = −1.61 × 1010 J
5 × 107
Problem 6: Soln...

Soln (b): The energy of the satellite just before the launch is
nothing but its gravitational potential energy at the surface of
the earth, and kinetic energy due to rotation of the earth at
the equator
GMe m 1
Eground = V (r ) + K = − + m(Ωe Re )2
Re 2
1
= −mgRe + m(Ωe Re )2
2
= −2000 × 9.9 × 6.4 × 106
2π 2
+ 0.5 × 2000 × (6.4 × 106 )2 × ( )
86400
= −1.25 × 1011 J .

Therefore, energy required to launch the satellite will be

∆E = Eorb − Eground = 1.09 × 1011 J
Problem 6: Soln...

Soln (c): We showed in the class that the radial distances

from the focus corresponding to perigee (rmin ) and apogee
(rmax ) are given by
r0
rmin =
1+ε
r0
rmax =
1−ε
These equations lead to
r0 = rmin (1 + ε) = rmax (1 − ε)
rmax − rmin (35850 + 6400) − (1100 + 6400)
=⇒ ε = = = 0.7
rmax + rmin (35850 + 6400) + (1100 + 6400)
Problem 6: Soln...

Soln (d): To obtain the angular momentum we use the

formula for eccentricity derived in the lectures
2Eorb L2
ε2 = 1 + ,
mC 2
which on using various values yields
L = 1.43 × 1014 kg -m2 /s
Soln (e): We know that at perigee and apogee the velocity of
the satellite will be perpendicular to the radial distance from
the earth's center, thus
L = mrp vp = mra va ,
where subscripts p and a denote, perigee and apogee
respectively.
Problem 6: Soln...

Soln (e) contd: Here m = 2000 kg,

rp = rmin = 1100 + 6400 = 7.5 × 106 m,
ro = rmax = 35850 + 6400 = 4.225 × 107 m. With this we
obtain
L
va = = 1690 m/s
mra
L
vp = = 9530 m/s
mrp
Problem 7: Soln

Problem 7: The ultimate aim of the space company of the

previous problem is to put the satellite in a geostationary orbit.
Therefore, after launching it in the elliptical orbit, the
company wants to transfer it in a geostationary orbit by ring
rockets at the apogee to increase its speed to the required one.
How much change in speed is needed to put the satellite in the
geostationary orbit, and how much energy will be required to
achieve that change?
Soln: Recalling that in problem 5 we obtained that the radius
of the geostationary orbit is
Rgeo = 35850 km + 6400 km = 4.225 × 107 m, which is identical
to the radial distance at the apogee ro for the elliptical orbit.
Thus, it is best to re the rockets at the apogee of the elliptical
orbit, to provide it the energy needed for a geostationary orbit.
Problem 7: Soln...

Now, energy required will be

C
∆E = − −E ,
Ageo orb
where Eorb is the energy of the elliptical orbit computed in the
last problem, while Ageo is the major axis corresponding to the
geostationary orbit. But, because geostationary orbit is a
circular one, therefore, its major axis is nothing but its
diameter, so that Ageo = 2Rgeo = 8.45 × 107 m. Using this we
obtain
∆E = 6.6 × 109 J
Problem 7: Soln...

To compute the change in speed, we note that change in

energy ∆E , changes only the kinetic energy of the satellite
because during the rocket ring, the location of the satellite
does not change, and hence, it potential energy remains
constant. Thus, if vf is the nal speed of the satellite after the
rocket is red, we have
1 2 1 2
mv − mv = ∆E = 6.6 × 109
2 f 2 a r
2∆E + mva2
=⇒ vf =
m
Above va is the speed of the satellite at the apogee, calculated
in the previous problem. Using values of various quantities, we
obtain the required change in speed
2 × 6.6 × 109 + 2000 × (1690)2
r
∆v = vf − va = − 1690
2000
= 3070 − 1690 = 1110 m/s