SPA5304 Physical Dynamics Homework 2

Due on Friday 25th January 2019 at 16:00

Problem 1 (Quick part A-type questions) [10 marks]

~
p
p
(i) Calculate ∇(1/r ), where r := x2 + y 2 + z 2 is the norm of the position vector ~r, and p is a positive
constant. [4]

(ii) State what is meant by a conservative force. [2]

(iii) Consider a system of two point-like particles of masses m1 and m2 with position vectors r1 and r2 with
respect to the origin of an inertial frame. Write down the position vector R of the centre of mass of
this system. [2]

(iv) Explain what is meant by internal forces and external forces acting on a system of many particles. [2]

Problem 2 [NOT marked]

A particle of mass m is attached to the end of a light string of length l (see the figure). The other end of
the string is passed through a small hole and is slowly pulled through it. Gravity is negligible. The particle
is originally spinning around the hole with angular velocity ω.

(i) What are the forces acting on the particle of mass m? (Draw them on the figure.)

(ii) Show that the angular momentum of the particle with respect to the position of the hole is a conserved
quantity.

(iii) Using the previous result, prove that the angular velocity when the string length has been reduced to
l/2 is equal to 4ω.

(iv) Prove that the tension in the string when its length has the generic value r is equal to mω 2 l4 /r3 .

1
Problem 3 [10 marks]
A particle of mass m is constrained to move in the (x̂, ŷ) plane along the curve of equation y = f (x). Gravity
acts as usual along the negative ŷ axis (Fg = −mg ŷ).

(i) What are the forces acting on the particle? Draw them on a figure, being careful about how you draw
the constraint force. [2]

(ii) Show that the equations of motion for the particle can be written as

ẍ 1 + (f 0 )2 + f 0 (g + f 00 ẋ2 ) = 0 ,

df d2 f
where f 0 ≡ dx , f 00 ≡ dx2 , and ẋ = dx
dt . [8]

Hint: Write down the x and y components of the equation of motion, and then try to express ÿ using f .