Department of Physics

University of Maryland
College Park, Maryland
PHYSICS 410 Prof. S. J. Gates
Fall 2005 Final Exam Dec. 16, 2005

This is a OPEN book examination. Read the entire examination before you begin
to work. Be sure to read each problem carefully. Any questions should be directed
to the proctor. There is an hour & fifty minute time limit. Show all of your work.
Use the backs of pages if necessary or request an extra booklet. Be sure to complete
the front page of the examination booklet including your name. Show all calculations
needed to support your answers, where necessary. Most importantly, THINK before
you start to calculate.

Problem (1.)

An asteroid is observed to be orbiting around a gaseous cloud in such a way that its
angular momentum L and kinetic energy K satisfy the equation K/L2 = A0 exp[2 ].
Use circular coordinates in the following question.

(a.) Using the inverse of the radial distance, (i.e. r = u1 ) and as the indepen-
dent variable, derive an expression for LK2 and use it to find u().

(b.) If the angular momentum is given by L0 exp[2(t/ 0 ) ] find the potential

energy for this problem.

Problem (2.)

Consider two pieces of wire each with mass Mw (with uniform densities). Both
are bent into the shape of a semi-circle. One wire sits in the x-y plane and the other
in the x-z plane. Both wires have their ends resting on the points (-4, 0) and (4, 0).

(a.) What is the location of the center of mass?

(b.) What is the moment of inertia tensor for the system of

wire?

(c.) What is the rotational kinetic energy of the wire system?

Problem (3.)

A Klingon Warbird and the Starship Enterprise are approaching the planet Vulcan
but from opposite directions. Each has standard running lights (flashing lights on
the exterior). Each captain sends a message to a scientist on the planet that the
frequency of their light is 430 trillion Hz. However, using a powerful sensors the
scientist observes the following data

Table 1: Sensor Data

Mass Frequency Length

Enterprise 190 million kg 680 trillion Hz 1000 m
Warbird 200 million kg 720 trillion Hz 1250 m

(a.) From the deck of the Enterprise, how fast does the Warbird appear to be
approaching?

(b.) From the deck of the Warbird, what would be the observed mass of the
Enterprise?

Problem (4.)

Imagine you are in an airplane that is slowly spiraling in for a landing. The
position vector of the airplane as described by someone on the ground is given by
~ p = 0 cos( 0 t)xb 0 sin( 0 t)yb + [ H 0 v 0 t ]zb
R

(a.) What are the acceleration and velocity vectors of the airplane?

(b.) When the airplane lands, how many complete rotations and fractions
thereof has it made?

(c.) Now sitting in your seat facing the front of the plane, you decide to
define mutually orthogonal unit vectors with you at their origin.
The direction when you look straight ahead is your x-direction
and the direction of your left shoulder is your y-direction. Final-
ly your z-direction is perpendicular to these two. Write explicit
expressions for your unit vectors as described by someone on the
ground.

(d.) In your frame of reference, write Newtons Second Law.

2
Problem (5.)

A bead of mass M is constrained to slide along the frictionless surface of a sphere

of radius R0 . There is a potential energy associated with the position of the given by

U (~r) = M A0 [ `1 x + `2 y + `3 z ]

(a.) Find the Lagrangian for this system and express it in terms of two angles
and their time derivatives.

(b.) Find the equation of motion of this system via the Euler-Lagrange equations.

(c.) Find the Hamiltonian of this system.

Problem (6.)

Now two particles of mass M1 and M2 with coordinates (x1 , y1 , z1 ) and (x2 , y2 , z2 )
are constrained to the surface of the same sphere. The potential energy of the new
system is given by
1 1 1
U T otal = U (~r1 ) + U (~r2 ) + kA R2 0 (61 52 )2 + kB R2 0 (1 )2 + kC R2 0 (2 )2
2 2 2

(a.) What is the form of Newtons second law?

(b.) Solve completely to describe the equation of motion for this system. Include
any appropriate discussion of normal modes, eigenmodes and eigenfrequencies.

3
 Department of Physics
University of Maryland
College Park, Maryland
PHYSICS 410 Prof. S. J. Gates
Fall 2005 Final Exam Dec. 16, 2005

This is a OPEN book examination. Read the entire examination before you begin
to work. Be sure to read each problem carefully. Any questions should be directed
to the proctor. There is an hour & fifty minute time limit. Show all of your work.
Use the backs of pages if necessary or request an extra booklet. Be sure to complete
the front page of the examination booklet including your name. Show all calculations
needed to support your answers, where necessary. Most importantly, THINK before
you start to calculate.

Problem (1.)

(a.) Using the inverse of the radial distance, (i.e. r = u1 ) and as the indepen-
dent variable, leads to
( )
1 dr d 2 d
K= m ( )2 + r2 ( ) , L = m r2 ,
2 d dt dt
( )
1 1 du 2 1 d 2 d
K= m 4
( ) + 2 ( ) , L = m u2 ,
2 u d u dt dt

and thus ( )
K 1 du
= ( )2 + u2
L2 2m d

This equation then implies

( )
1 du
( )2 + u2 = A0 exp[ 2 ]
2m d

Since the right hand side of the equation involves an exponential, it is natural
to make the ansatz
u() = 0 exp[ ]

where 0 is a constant. The equation will be solved it 0 = m A0
(b.) From the solution above
1
r() = exp[ ]
m A0

If the angular momentum is given by L0 exp[2(t/ 0 ) ] then it must be the case

that
1 d
 
L0 exp[2(t/ 0 ) ] = exp[ 2 ] ( )
2 A0 dt
1
 
exp[2(t/ 0 ) ]d t = exp[ 2 ] d
2 A0 L 0
( )
exp[ 2 ]
( 0 /2)d { exp[2(t/ 0 ) ]} = d
4 A0 L 0
1
 
d { exp[2(t/ 0 ) ]} = d { exp[ 2 ] }
2 0 A0 L 0
1
Z  Z
d { exp[2(t/ 0 ) ]} = d { exp[ 2 ] }
2 0 A0 L 0
1
 
exp[2(t/ 0 ) ] 1 = { exp[ 2 ] exp[ 2 0 ] }
2 0 A0 L 0

To make further progress, it is useful to choose 0 such that

1
exp[ ] = exp[ (t/ 0 ) ]
2 0 A0 L 0

which leads to

(t) = (t/ 0 ) 21 ln[2 0 A0 L0 ]

s
2 0 L0
r(t) = exp[ (t/ 0 ) ]
m

Now the if there is a potential U (r, ) it must satisfy

d2 r
" #
U d
( ) = m 2
r ( )2
r dt dt

and when the expressions for r(t) and (t) are used this implies
U
( ) = 0
r

2
 This implies that U (r, ) = U (). Next there is the equation
" #
U d d
( ) = m r2
dt dt
" #
m d h 2 i 2m dr
= r = r
0 dt 0 dt
" # " #
2m 1 d 1
= exp[ ] exp[ ]
0 m A0 dt m A0
2 d
 
= exp[ ] [ exp[ ] ]
0 A0 dt
" #
2
= exp[ 2 ]
( 0 )2 A0

and this has the solution

" #
1
U (r, ) = exp[ 2 ]
( 0 )2 A0

Problem (2.)

(a.) To find the location of the center of mass, we first find the mass/length for each
wire. The mass of each is Mw and the radius of each semi-circle is r0 = 4. So
that mass/length = Mw /r0 . This means that we have using cylindrical coordi-
nates Z Z Z
d V (~r) = d d dz (~r) = d Mw .
0

where (~r) is the mass per unit volume. So the center of mass for the wire in
the x-y plane is given by
Z
~ (1) 1
R cm = Mw d d dz ~r (~r)
iZ iZ
1 Mw 1
h h
~ (1)
R cm = Mw d ~r = d ~r
0 0

On the first piece of wire, we have

~r = r0 [ cos xb + sin yb ]

so that i Z
r0
h
~ (1) =
R d [ cos xb + sin yb ]
cm 0
Z
r0 2
h i h i
= yb d [ sin ] = r0 yb
0

3
 and thus for the second wire
2
h i
~ (2)
R cm = r0 zb

Finally to find the center of mass of the system

~ (1) + M w R
Mw R ~ (2)
= 21 R
h i
~ (T ot)
R = cm cm ~ (1) + R
~ (2)
cm cm cm
2M w
1
h i
= r0 [ yb + zb ]

(b.) To find the moment of inertia tensor for the system of wire we start
with the definition of the moment of inertia tensor for the first
wire
Z h i
(1)
Ii j = d d dz (~r) |~r|2 i j ri rj
Z
d Mw |~r|2 i j ri rj
h i
=
0

y2

i Z xy 0
Mw
h
= d yx

x2 0

0
0 0 x2 + y 2
sin2

 2
Z cos sin 0
Mw r 0
= sin cos
d cos2 0

0
0 0 1
1

2 0 0
= Mw r20 1

0 0 .
2
0 0 1

This implies for the second wire

1

2 0 0
(2)
I i j = Mw r20

0 1 0
.
1
0 0 2

and thus for the total moment

2 0 0
(T ot) (1) (2) 1 2
Ii j = Ii j + Ii j = 2 Mw r 0 0 3 0
.
0 0 3

(c.) The rotational kinetic energy of the wire system is thus

T Rot = 41 Mw r20 2( x )2 + 3 ( y )2 + 3 ( z )2
h i

4
Problem (3.)

Each captain states in their frame of reference the frequency of their running light is
430 trillion Hz. The data of the Vulcan scientist reads

Table 1: Sensor Data

Mass Frequency Length

Enterprise 190 million kg 680 trillion Hz 1000 m
Warbird 200 million kg 720 trillion Hz 1250 m

(a.) If the scientist observed speed of the approach vE of the Enterprise to Vulcan
and the speed of the approach vW of the Warbird to Vulcan, she could deduce
the speed of approach of the Warbird observed from the deck of the Enter-
prise. " #
vE + vW
vA = , A = vcA
1 + vEcv2 W
The formulae for the relativistic Doppler Effect is given by
s
0 1
f = f
1
If we define the ratio f /f 0 = F this leads to
 (f 0 )2 f 2
   
 1 F2  
=  = 
   
 1 + F2  (f 0 )2 + f 2
 
 

FE = (68/43) , FW = (72/43) ,
 
(43)2 (68)2
E = vcE
 
vE = c ,
 
(43)2 + (68)2

 
 
(43)2 (72)2 
W = vcW

vW = c ,

(43)2 + (72)2 



(b.) The Vulcan scientist is not in the rest from of the Enterprise, so the mass
she observes ( ME )0 = 190 106 kg is not the rest mass of the ship ME0 . The
relation between these is
q
ME0 = ( ME )0 1 ( E )2

The mass ( ME )00 observed from the deck of the Warbird is related to the

5
 rest mass of the ship ME0 via

00 ME0
( ME ) = q
1 ( A )2
v
2
0 t 1 ( E )
u
u
= (ME ) 2
1 ( A )

Problem (4.)

(a.) To find the acceleration and velocity vectors of the airplane we see

V~ p = 0 0 [ sin( 0 t)xb + cos( 0 t)yb ] v 0 zb

~ p = 0 ( 0 )2 [ cos( 0 t)xb sin( 0 t)yb ]
A

~ p = 0 and this occurs at the time t = H 0 /v 0 .

(b.) The airplane lands when z R
If n denotes the number of complete rotations and f the fractional part
then
1 0 H 0
 
n + f = 2
v0

(c.) The orthogonal unit vectors for your x-direction, y-direction and z-direc-
tion may be denoted by e1 , e2 and e3 . For an observer on the ground these
are written as

[ sin( t)x
b + cos( 0 t)yb ] + v 0 zb
0 0 0
e1 = q
2 2
(0 0 ) + (v 0 )

e2 = [ cos( 0 t)xb sin( 0 t)yb ]

v [ sin( t)x + cos( t)y ] + z
0 0 b 0 b 0 0 b
e3 = q
2 2
(0 0 ) + (v 0 )

It is convenient to define 0 by
( )
v0
tan0 =
0 0

so that
e1 = cos0 0 [ sin( 0 t)xb + cos( 0 t)yb ] sin0 zb
e2 = [ cos( 0 t)xb sin( 0 t)yb ]
6
 e3 = sin0 0 [ sin( 0 t)xb + cos( 0 t)yb ] + cos0 zb

(d.) To write Newtons Second Law in your frame of reference, it is important to note
d
e1 = 0 cos0 e2
dt
d
e2 = 0 [ cos0 e1 + sin0 e3 ]
dt
d
e3 = 0 sin0 e2
dt

The position vector for an object in your reference frame takes the form

~ = U e1 + V e2 + W e3

for some coordinates U, V, W . If the object has a mass of M you write

d2 d d ~
F~ = M 2 ~ = M
dt dt dt
( )
d dU dV dW
= M e1 + e2 + e3
dt dt dt dt
d
M { U 0 cos0 e2 }
dt
d
+ M { V 0 [ cos0 e1 + sin0 e3 ] }
dt
d
M { W 0 sin0 e2 }
dt
d2 U d2 V d2 W
( )
F~ = M e
1 + e
2 + e3
dt2 dt2 dt2
( )
dU
2M 0 cos0 e2
dt
( )
dV
+ 2M 0 [ cos0 e1 + sin0 e3 ]
dt
( )
dW
2M 0 sin0 e2
dt
M ( 0 )2 { U cos0 + W sin0 } [ cos0 e1 + sin0 e3 ]
M ( 0 )2 V e2

Problem (5.)
7
 A bead of mass M is constrained to slide along the frictionless surface of a sphere
of radius R0 . There is a potential energy associated with the position of the given by
U (~r) = M A0 [ `1 x + `2 y + `3 z ]

(a.) To find the Lagrangian for this system we note spherical coordinate are
perfect to use
x = R0 cos sin , y = R0 sin sin , z = R0 cos .

so that
" #
d d
T = 21 M (R0 )2 ( )2 + sin2 ( )2
dt dt
U = M A0 R0 [ `1 cos sin + `2 sin sin + `3 cos ]
L= T U

(b.) For the equation of motion of this system via the Euler-Lagrange equations
we find
" # " #
L 2 L ,
= M (R0 ) () , = M (R0 )2 sin2 ()

()
()
" #
L 2
= M (R0 )2 sin cos()

M A0 R0 [ `1 cos cos + `2 sin cos `3 sin ] ,
" #
L
= M A0 R0 sin [ `1 sin + `2 cos ]

" #
d L L
=
dt
()
d h
i
2
M (R0 )2 () M (R0 )2 sin cos()
dt
+ M A0 R0 [ `1 cos cos + `2 sin cos `3 sin ] = 0 ,
" #
d L L
=
dt
()
d h
i
M (R0 )2 sin2 () + M A0 R0 sin [ `1 sin + `2 cos ] = 0 .
dt

(c.) To find the Hamiltonian of this system, we first note.

" #
L ,
p = = M (R0 )2 ()

()
" #
L ,
p = = M (R0 )2 sin2 ()

()
8
 and thus
+ p ()
H = p () L
(p )2 (p )2
" # " #
= +
2 M (R0 )2 2 M (R0 )2 sin2
+ M A0 R0 [ `1 cos sin + `2 sin sin + `3 cos ]

Problem (6.)

Given two particles of mass M1 and M2 with coordinates (x1 , y1 , z1 ) and (x2 , y2 , z2 )
are constrained to the surface of the same sphere, we can introduce spherical coor-
dinates for both and use angular coordinates for both. The potential energy of the
new system is given by
1
U T otal = U (~r1 ) + U (~r2 ) + kA R2 0 (61 52 )2
2
1 1
+ kB R2 0 (1 )2 + kC R2 0 (2 )2
2 2

(a.) What is the form of Newtons second law?

d h i
M (R0 )2 (1 ) = M (R0 )2 sin1 cos1 (1 )2
dt
M A0 R0 [ `1 cos1 cos1 + `2 sin1 cos1 `3 sin1 ]
6 kA R2 0 (61 52 ) kB R2 0 (1 )
d h i
M (R0 )2 sin2 1 ( 1 ) = M A0 R0 sin1 [ `1 sin1 + `2 cos1 ] .
dt
d h i
M (R0 )2 (2 ) = M (R0 )2 sin2 cos2 (2 )2
dt
M A0 R0 [ `1 cos2 cos2 + `2 sin2 cos2 `3 sin2 ]
+ 5 kA R2 0 (61 52 ) kC R2 0 (2 ) ,
d h i
M (R0 )2 sin2 2 ( 2 ) = M A0 R0 sin2 [ `1 sin2 + `2 cos2 ] .
dt

(b.) To describe the equation of motion for this including a discussion of

normal modes, eigenmodes and eigenfrequencies. it is first important
to look at the potential in problem five. This potential implies a force

9
 given by
F~ = M A0 [ `1 x + `2 y + `3 z ]

[ `1 x + `2 y + `3 z ]
= M A0 |`|2 q ,
(`1 )2 + (`2 )2 + (`3 )2
= M A0 |`|2 n

q
where |`|2 is defined by (`1 )2 + (`2 )2 + (`3 )2 . This is a constant
force with magnitude of M A0 |`|2 directed along the direction of n . But
this is exactly like the force of gravity! It follows that the angle with
which the force meets with the z-axis is given by

`3
cos = z n
= q ,
(`1 )2 + (`2 )2 + (`3 )2

This implies that we can use generalized coordinates to simplify the problem
1 = 1 , 2 = 2

and the Lagrangian for the system using the new coordinates takes the form
" #
d 1 2 d 1 2
L = 21 M (R0 )2 ( ) + sin2 ( 1 + ) ( )
dt dt
" #
d 2 2 d 2 2
+ 12 M (R0 )2 ( ) + sin2 ( 2 + ) ( )
dt dt
M A0 R0 |`|2 [ cos 1 + cos 2 ]
1
kA R2 0 (6 1 5 2 + )2
2
1 1
kB R2 0 ( 1 + )2 kC R2 0 ( 2 + )2
2 2
Now the first benefit of the coordinate change is apparent. The potential is
independent of 1 and 2 ! To make further progress it is useful to make
the small angle approximation.
" #
d 1 2 d 1 2
L 21 M (R0 )2 ( ) + sin2 () ( )
dt dt
" #
d 2 2 d 2 2
+ 21 M (R0 )2 ( ) + sin2 () ( )
dt dt
M A0 R0 |`|2 [ 2 12 ( 1 )2 12 ( 2 )2 ]
1
kA R2 0 (6 1 5 2 + )2
2
1 1
kB R2 0 ( 1 + )2 kC R2 0 ( 2 + )2
2 2
10
which makes it clear that only the -angles are involved in the normal modes.
The equations of motion for these takes the form
" #
d d 1
M (R0 )2 ( ) = M A0 R0 |`|2 1 6 kA R2 0 (6 1 5 2 + )
dt dt
kB R2 0 ( 1 + )
" #
d d 2
M (R0 )2 ( ) = M A0 R0 |`|2 2 + 5 kA R2 0 (6 1 5 2 + )
dt dt
kC R2 0 ( 2 + )

or more simply
" #
d d 1 A0 |`|2 kA
= R0 1 6 M (6 1 5 2 + )
dt dt
kMB ( 1 + )
" #
d d 2 A0 |`|2 kA
= R0 2 + 5 M (6 1 5 2 + )
dt dt
kMC ( 2 + )

and after further simplification

d2 1 A0 |`|2
 
36 kA + kB
1 + 30k

A
= R0 + M M 2
dt2
6 kAM+ kB kMB
 

d2 2 A0 |`|2
 
30kA 25 kA + kC

= M 1 R0 + M 1
dt2
5 kAM+ kC kMB
 

The terms that are independent of the s can be eliminated via a redefinition.
Now it is convenient to define three frequencies
r
30kA
A = M ,
r
36 kA + kB A |`|2
AB = M + 0R ,
0
r
25 kA + kC A0 |`|2
AC = M + R0 ,

11
This leads to the eigenvalue condition
h ih i
()2 (AB )2 ()2 (AC )2 (A )4 = 0
h i
()4 (AB )2 + (AC )2 ()2 + (AB )2 (AC )2 (A )4 = 0
()4 b ()2 c = 0

()2 = 12 b b2 + 4 c
h i

q
= 12 21
h i
() 2 2
(AB ) + (AC ) 2
[ (AB )2 (AC )2 ]2 + 4 (A )4

and this is the standard two coupled oscillator system so the eigenvectors are
" # " #
~ = 1 ~+ = 1
E , E
1 1

12
 Solutions of Homework # 2

Problem 2.1
According to the equation(2.7) on the textbook, we have:

fquad cv 2 s
= = 1.6 103 2 Dv
flin bv m
For the two types of forces are of the same strength, we have:

s
1.6 103 Dv = 1v = 8.9 103 m/s
m2
So when v >> 102 m/s, we could have f as pure fquad , and its good approximation to ignore
the linear force in real case.
If we take D = 0.7m, we will have v 0 = 8.9 104 m/s for the critical velocity for the equality
of the two forces and it is good approximation to ignore the linear force in real case.

Problem 2.8
From the Newtons second law, we have d[mv(t)] = F (v)dt:
Z v
dv(t) dv 2m 1/2 1/2
dt = m t t0 = m 3/2
= (v v0 )
F (v) vo cv c
v0
v= h i2
c v
1 + 2m0 (t t0 )

So, when the mass is to rest, v 0, we have 4t = t t0 .

Problem 2.13
From the conversation of energy, we have d( 12 mv 2 ) = F (x)dx:
Z x
2 2F (x)dx 2kxdx k(x20 x2 )
dv = v 2 v02 = =
m x0 m m
r
k(x20 x2 )
v=
m
where we have used v0 = 0. The sign of v is in fact determined from the sign of x0 , have negative
sign for v when x0 > 0 and positive sign when x0 < 0, and this discussion is available only for
the first half cycle of the motion and the sign does not affect the expression of the x(t).
Z xr r
dx m dx m x
dt = t= 2 2 1/2
= arccos
v x0 k (x0 x ) k x0
r !
k
x = x0 cos t
m

Problem 2.21

1
 In the polar coordinates, all directions are same, that is our discussion has nothing to with
. Lets take some 0 and this problem become 2D problem and its expansion to 3D problem is
natural. Lets take z0 = 0
Before the shell hit z = 0, we have the equations of motion:
1
z(t) = vz t gt2 (t) = v t
2
2
vz 1 (t)
z(t) = (t) g
v 2 v

Now, lets analyze this problem. What does it mean to hit all objects inside a surface? It
means that for a fixed , the point on the surface should have the maximum z for all possible
path passing this , or for a fixed z, the point on the surface should have maximum for all
possible path passing this z. So lets denote vvz = a, and suppose fixed, it turns out that
g2
z = a 2v02
(a2 + 1), and for this surface, we will have:

z g2 a v2
= 2 =0a= 0
a v0 g
g2 2 v02 g2
z = a 2 (a + 1) = 2
2v0 2g 2v0

Figure 1

Problem 2.27
From the Newtons second law, we have the motion of puck on the upward journey:
dv
m = cv 2 mg sin
dt
Lets denote vc2 = mg sinc , so we have:

dv vc c v0 vc c
2 = dt v = vc tan arctan t
1 + vv2 m vc m
c

m v0
For v = 0, we have t = vc c arctan vc .

Problem 2.28
From the conversation of the energy d(mv 2 /2) = F dx, we have:
mvdv mdv 2m 1/2
dx = = 1/2 x x0 = (v v 1/2 )
F cv c 0
2m 1/2
So, for v=0, we have 4x = x x0 = c v0

Problem 2.33
a. The figure of cosh z and sinh z when z are real is shown on the figure 2.

2
 Figure 2

b.
ei(iz) + ei(iz) ez + ez
cos iz = = = cosh z
z 2
ei(iz) ei(iz) ez + ez
sin iz = = = sinh z
z 2
c.
d cosh z ez ez d sinh z ez + ez
= = sinh z = = cosh z
dz 2 dz 2
d.
2 2
ez + ez ez ez
cosh2 z sinh2 z = =1
2 2
e. Suppose x = sinh z, so we have:
Z Z
dx cosh zdz
= = z = sinh1 z
1+x 2 cosh z

Problem 2.49
a.
i 2
z2 = e = e2i = cos 2 + i sin 2
= (cos + i sin )2 = cos2 sin2 + 2i sin cos
So, we have cos 2 = cos2 sin2 , sin 2 = 2 sin cos .

b.
i 3
z3 = e = e3i = cos 3 + i sin 3
= (cos + i sin )(cos2 sin2 + 2i sin cos )
= (cos3 3 sin2 cos ) + i(3 sin cos2 sin3 )
So, we have cos 3 = cos3 3 sin2 cos , sin 3 = 3 sin cos2 sin3 .

Problem 2.53
According to Newtons second law, we have:
dv
m = F = q(E + v B)
dt
mv x = qvy B, mv y = qvx B, mv z = qE

For the equation in x,y direction, it is easy to find the motion in xy plane is circle rotation.
Introduce = vx + ivy and = qB/m we have:
m = qB = (vx0 + ivy0 )eit x + iy = (x0 + iy0 )eit
x = x0 cos t + y0 sin t, y = y0 cos t x0 sin t

3
Where we suppose z axis is chosen so that x,y has the above form. And the z direction is some-
thing like the motion in gravity field: z = z0 + vz0 t + qE 2
m t . The combination of the motion in
the three direction is a spiral motion.

Problem 2.55
a.
dv
m = F = q(E + v B)
dt
mv x = qvy B, mv y = qE qvx B, mv z = 0

From the equation of z direction, we have vz is constant. Because vz0 = 0, we have vz = 0. That
is the motion is restricted in xy plane.
b. If we request the motion is undeflected, we will have the general form:

vy (t) vy (0)
= = 0 vy (t) = 0
vx (t) vx (0)
mv y = qE qvx B = 0, mv x = qvy B = 0
E
v = vx0 =
B

c. Make the transformation: vx0 = vx E/B, so the equation of motion is:

mv x0 = qvy B, mv y = qvx0 B
vx0 + ivy = (vx0 E/B)ei(qB/m)t
vx = (vx0 E/B) cos[(qB/m)t] + E/B, vy = (vx0 E/B) sin[(qB/m)t]

The procedure of solving this equation is the same as the problem of 2.53.
d.
Z t
vx0 E/B
x = x0 + vx dt = E/Bt + sin(qBt/m)
0 qB/m
Z t
vx0 E/B
y = y0 + vy dt = (cos(qBt/m) 1)
0 qB/m

Lets take qB/m=1, E/B = 1 and for vx0 =-10, -1, 0, 0.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 10, we have the graphs
of trajectory in figure 3.

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Figure 3