‘Weare, 10:36 PM other central Motion in central potentials Potential energy U Problem: A mass m moves in a central force field. The force is F = f(r)(r/r), where f(r) = -kr and k > 0. Assume the mass moves at a constant speed in a circular path of radius R. Calculate the angular velocity of the mass, and show that its energy is E = kR2. Solution: * Concepts: Motion in a central potential, F = f(rj(t/r), f(r) = (-2U/2r) + Reasoning: f(r) = (-2U/2r) = -kr, U(r) = 4kr2. We have a central potential. The energy of the mass moving at a constant speed v in a circular path of radius R is =T+U= ”mv? + 4kR2. * Details of the calculation: For circular motion at constant speed we have |F| = mv2/R = kR. v= R(k/m)”. The energy is E = T + U = Yamv? + 4kR2 = YmR2(k/m) + KR? = KR2. Problem: A particle of mass m moves in a central force field such that its potential energy is given by V = kr", where r is the distance from the center of force and k and n are constants. (a) Write down the Lagrangian for this system and determine the equations of motion in polar coordinates. (b) Show that angular momentum is conserved for the system. (c) Find an expression for the total energy of the system that depends only on the radial variable. (d) Find the conditions (sign and magnitude of n and k) for a stable circular orbit by investigating the particle at stable equilibrium. Solution: * Concept: Motion in a central potential, Lagrange's equations, stable orbits * Reasoning: We are asked to write down the Lagrangian, find an expression for the total energy, and investigate the stability of orbits. * Details of the calculation: (a) L=T-U= ”mf[(dr/dt)? + r2(d@/dt)2] - ke”, The generalized coordinates are r and ©. The coordinate ® is cyclic. Lagrange’s equations yield the equations of motion. (d/dt){mr2(d/dt)] = 0. m@?r/dt? = M2/mr3 = ket (b) (d/dt)[mr2(d@/dt)] = 0. M = mr2(d@/dt) = constant, angular momentum is conserved. (c) E=T+U = Ym(dr/dt)? + M2/(2mr2) + kr" = m(dr/dt)? + Uer(r). This expression looks like the total energy of a particle moving in one dimension in a potential User(r). lectroné. phys uk edu/PhysicsProblems/Mechanics/7-Central potentialther_central htm! 19swear, 10:26 PM other cental (d) For a circular orbit at with radius a we need QUe¢¢(r)/Orla QUere(r)/Or = kr" - M2/ (mr), nka™* 1 = M2/(ma3), a2 = M2/(mnk), (n #0). For a stable orbit of radius a we need a restoring force. Let r=a+p,p < O near p = 0. Wese(r)/Or = nkr™t - M2/ (mr). DU est(P)/Op = nk(a + p)™* - M2/[m(a + p)3] = nka™"(1 + p/a)t - [M2/(ma3)](1 + p/ay? = nka™1(1 + (n-1)p/a) - [M2/(ma?)](1 - 3p/a). 22UefF/2p7 | pao = n(n-1)ka™? + 3M2/(ma4) > 0. mn(n = 1)ka"*2 + 3M2 > 0. mun(n - 1)k[M2/(mnk)] + 3M2 > 0. (n- 1)M2 + 3M2 > 0. (n-1)+3>0. n+2>0. Requirements for stable circular orbit with radius a for potential Vir) = kr" are: n>-2,n=0, k = N2/(nma"2), When n <0 then k < 0, and when n > 0 then k > 0. Problem: ‘Two particles with reduced mass p orbiting each have a potential energy function U = kr’, where k > 0 and r is the distance between them. (a) Find the equilibrium distance rg at which the particles can circle each other at a constant distance as a function of the angular momentum M. (b) Determine if this is a stable equilibrium distance. (©) Assume the particles orbiting at the equilibrium distance rg are slightly disturbed. Determine if the disturbed orbits are closed. Solution: * Concept: Motion in a central potential + Reasoning: For motion in a central potential energy and angular momentum are conserved. These two equations are enough to answer the questions. * Details of the calculation: (a) M= pr2(d@/dt) = constant, angular momentum is conserved. E=T+U = %p(dr/dt)? + M2/(2pr2) + “kr? = 4p (dr/dt)? + Uses(r). This expression looks like the total energy of a particle moving in one dimension in a potential User(r). (b) For a circular orbit at with radius rg we need QUe44(r)/2r| 9 = 0. WUege(r)/Or = kr - M2/(ur3). krg = M2/(urg3), rot = M2/ (uk). (b) For a stable orbit of radius a we need a restoring force. Let r=a+p, p< 0 near p = 0, oF O’Usry/Br? > O near r= ro. Q2Ueff/dr? 1.9 = k + 3M2/(uro4) = 4k > 0. Since k > 0, this is a position of stable equilibrium. (c) ud?p/dt? = -4kp for small displacements from equilibrium. The angular frequency of small oscillations about ro is Was = 2(k/1)”*. The angular frequency of the orbit with radius r0 is orbit = M/(Hro2) = ro2(uk)”*/ (hiro) = (k/ wy. Bosc = Worbit- The relative distance between the particles goes through exactly two cycles for each full orbit. The orbits are closed. Problem: A particle of mass m moves under the action of a central force whose potential energy function is U(r) = kr4, k> 0. (a) For what energy and angular momentum will the orbit be a circle of radius a about the origin? What is the period of this circular motion? (b) If the particle is slightly disturbed from this circular motion, what will be the period of small radial oscillations about r = a? Solution: * Concepts: A particle moving in a central potential U=U(r), F=f(r)(r/r), f(r) = -dU/2r. In a central potential the energy E and the angular momentum M are conserved. E = Yam(dr/dt)? + M2/(2mr2) + U(r) = Yam(dr/dt)? + Uper(r), with Upee(r) = M?/(Zmr?) + U(r). md?r/dt? = -QUege(r)/2r. + Reasonin A potential energy function U(r) is given. The particle moves under the action of a central force. * Details of the calculation: (a) For a circular orbit with radius a we need r= a, dr/dt = 0, d2r/dt? = 0. For a circular orbit at with radius a we therefore need QUeft(r)/2rla QWos(r)/Or = 4kr3 - M2/(mr3). 4ka? = M2/(ma3), a& = M2/(4mk), M = 2a3(km)*. E = Upgf(a) = ka* + M2/(2ma?) = kat + Amka®/(2ma”) = 3ka4. The period for the circular motion is t = 211/w, w = d®/dt = M/ma? = 2a(k/m)”. T= (m/a)(m/k)*. (b) For a stable orbit we need a restoring force. Let r= a+p, 1 >>. We need md2p/dt? = -ap. md?p/dt? = -2Ue¢¢(p)/2p = -(QUett/2P) |p=o + (2*Ues#/2P7) | pao? (Series expansion). We need d7Uer7/dp? > O at p = 0, or B2Ugs¢/dr2 > Oat r=a. Wese(r)/Or = 4kr3 - M2/(mr3). QUese(r)/Or2 = 12kr? + 3M2/(mr4), Q2Ueff/9p" | pea = 12ka? + 3M2/(ma4) = 12ka? + 3kma®/ (mat) = 24 ka? > 0. slectron6. phys utk edu/PhysicsProblems/Mechanics/7-Central potentialther_central htm! 39swear, 10:26 PM other cental The orbit with radius a is stable, a = 24 ka”. The period of small radial oscillation about a is T=2n/w,, W, = (a/m)* = (24 ka2/m)*. t= (11/a)(m/(6k))”. Potential energy U proportional to 1/r° Problem: A particle of mass m moves under an attractive central force with magnitude A/r?. (a) Find the condition for which it moves with constant radial speed. (b) For this special case, find the orbital equation r(), where r and ® are polar coordinates. Solution: + Concepts: Motion in a central potential + Reasoning: The particle moves under an attractive central force. The motion is in a plane. Energy E and angular momentum M are conserved. * Details of the calculation: (a) For motion in a central potential we have T-U= Yamf[(dr/dt)? + 2(do/dt)?] - U(r). = Yam[(dr/dt)? + r2(d@/dt)?] + U(r) = constant. M = pg = mr2d@/dt = constant. E = ”am(dr/dt)? + M2/(2mr2) + U(r) = Am(dr/dt)? + User), with Uper(r) = M2/(2mr2) + U(r). Here U(r) = -A/(2r?). Lagrange’s equations yield md?r/dt? - M/(mr3) = f(r). If d2r/dt? = 0 then M2/(mr3) = -f(r) = A/T? , M2 = mA. For this motion E = “mv,2, with v, constant. (b) dr/dt =v, = constant. d@/dt = M/mr2, dr/d@ = mr2v,/M. dr/r = (my;/M)d®, (1/9 = 1/1) = (mnv;/M)(O = Bp). Choose ®p = 0. Then 1/r = 1/r9- (mvp/M)®, t= ro/ (1 - mvero/M). r= ro/(1 - constant"). If the constant is positive the particle spirals outward, if it is negative the particle spirals inward. If the constant is zero, orbit is circular. Problem: Consider the potential energy function U(r) = kr“texp(-ar), where k < 0 and a> 0. (a) Find the corresponding force F. (b) Assuming a particle of mass m, subject to this force, moves in a circle of radius a, find its angular momentum M and energy E. What is the period of the circular motion? Solution: slectron6. phys utk edu/PhysicsProblems/Mechanics/7-Central potentialther_central htm!swear, 10:26 PM other cental * Concepts: Motion in a central potential, F = f(r)(r/r), f(r) = (2U/2r) The motion is in a plane. Energy E and angular momentum M are conserved. M=mr2d@/dt, E = Yam(dr/dt)? + M2/(2mr2) + U(r) = “”m(dr/ dt)? + Uper(r) - The equation of the orbit is (M/r2)d/d@[(M/mr2)dr/d] - M2/(mr3) = f(r). + Reasoning: We are given a central potential. The motion is in a plane. We use spherical coordinates and let the motion be in the @ = 1/2 plane. Then the direction of the angular momentum Mis perpendicular to this plane and the equations given above can be applied. * Details of the calculation: (a) f(r) = (-dU/dr) = (ak/r + k/1?) exp(-ar) = -(a + 1/r)(IkI/rexp(-ar), F = f(ry(r/r). (b) Motion in a circle: dr/d@ = 0 at r =a. (M/12)d/d@[(M/mr2)dr/d@] - M2/(mr3) = f(r). The above equation becomes M2/(mr3) = (a + 1/r)(|k| /rexp(-ar) at r= a. Angular momentum: M2 = ma2(a + 1/a)|klexp(-aa). E = ¥m(dr/dt)? + M2/(2mr2) + U(r. Atr=a, we have dr/dt = 0. Energy: E = [k| (a/2 - 1/(2a))exp(-aa). Period: T= 2n/w, w = dO/dt = M/(ma?). Problem: A particle of mass m moves in a circular orbit of radius r = a under the influence of the central attractive force f(r) = -g exp(-br)/r?, where g and b are positive constants. (a) What is the effective potential energy, Uefs(M,r), for radial motion in terms of r and the angular momentum M? (Your answer may contain an integral.) (b) For what values of b will this orbit be stable? (c) What is the frequency of small radial oscillation about these stable circular orbits? Solution: * Concepts: Motion in a central potential, F = f(r)(r/r), f(r) = -2U/ar Energy E and angular momentum M are conserved. M=mr2d@/dt, E = Yam(dr/dt)? + M2/(2mr2) + U(r) = Am(dr/dt)? + Ussr(r) « md?r/dt? = -2Ue¢(r)/2r. + Reasoning: The force is given. The particle moves under the action of a central force. * Details of the calculation: (a) U(r) = ~Sine'f(r)dr = Sing! (@ exp(-br)/r2)dr. Uee(r) = M2/(2mr2) + fing exp(-br)/r2)dr. (b) For a circular orbit of radius a we need d?r/dt?|, = 0, therefore QUef(r)/Or|4 = 0, -fla) = M2/ma3, g exp(-ba)/a? = M2/ma?. For the orbit to be stable we need a restoring force. Let r=a +p, r>> p. slectron6. phys utk edu/PhysicsProblems/Mechanics/7-Central potentialther_central htm!swear, 10:26 PM other cental We need md2p/dt? = -ap. But md?p/dt? = -2Uef¢/Op = -2*Uets/BP" I pa0P- We need d7Ucrx/dp? > O at p = 0. 27Ues¢/207 I pao = (2Uess/Br™) pag = O(-M2/ (mr3) - f(r))/Br|g = 3M2/(ma4) - g exp(-ba)[2/a? + b/a?]. We need 3M?/(ma‘) - g exp(-ba)[2/a? + b/a?] > 0, or 3g exp(-ba)/a? - g exp(-ba)[2/a? + b/a2] > 0. We therefore need 1/a-b > 0, b< t/a. (c) md?p/dt? = -27Uef¢/2p* | pop = -[g exp(-ba)/a2][1/a - b]p. w = (g exp(-ba)/(ma2)][1 /a - b])”. In the limit b = 0 we get the result for the Kepler orbit, w = (g/(ma?))”, the period Tose of small radial oscillations is equal to the orbital period Torpit = 21(g/(ma?))*. Motion with a given orbit Problem: Find the form of the potential energy U(r) for a central force field that allows a particle to move ina spiral orbit given by r = ke?, where k is a constant. What is the total energy of the particle if Ul~) = OF Solution: * Concepts: Motion in a central potential, F = f(r)(r/r), f(r) = (-dU/dr) * Reasonin: For motion under the influence of a central force E and M are conserved. M=mr2d@/dt, E = Ym(dr/dt)? + User), Ueer(r) = U(r) + M2/(2mr2). The equation that relates the orbit to the force is (M2u2/m)(d2u/do? + u) = -f(u), where u=1/r. The orbit is given, we have to find f(r). * Details of the calculation: u= 1/r = 1/(k@?2) is given. du/d@ = -2/(ko3), d?u/d@? = 6/(ko4) = 6ku?, (M2u2/m)(6ku? + u) = -F(u), f(r) = -(M2/m)((6k/14) + (1/13). For a particle of mass m and angular momentum M to have the orbit r = k@? the force must be f(r) = -(M?/m)((6k/14) + (1/77)). What is the effective potential energy? mdr /dt? = f(r) + M2/(mr3) = -d(U(r) + M2/(2me2))/dr = -dUger(r)/dr. md2r/dt? = -6M?k/ (mr4) - M2/(mr3) + M2/(mr3) = -6M2k/(mr4 ). WUese(r)/dr = 6M?K/(mr4), Unge(r) = -2M?k/(mr>), Usgr(~) = 0. What must be the energy of the particle? E=% m(dr/dt)? + Ucer(r), slectron6. phys utk edu/PhysicsProblems/Mechanics/7-Central potentialther_central htm! cyswear, 10:26 PM other cental r=ko2, dr/dt = 2k@dO/dt = 2k /(r/k) M/ (mr). E = ¥om(4k2r/k) M2/(m2r4) - 2M2k/ (m3) For the particle to have the orbit (r = k®?), its total energy must be zero. Problem: Under the influence of a central force f(r), a particle follows the trajectory described by r = a/(+1)?, where a is a constant. (a) Find the force of f(r). (b) At © = 0, the particle receives an impulse which reduce to zero its radial component of the velocity (v;) and which doubles its transverse component on the velocity (vj). What is the path of the particle following this impulse? Solution: + Concepts: Motion in a central potential, F = f(r)(r/r), f(r) = (-dU/dr) * Reasoning: For motion under the influence of a central force E and M are conserved. Ms mr2d@/dt, E = ¥m(dr/dt)? + User), User(t) = U(r) + M2/(2mr?). The equation that relates the orbit to the force is, (M2u2/m)(d2u/do? + u) = -f(u), where u=1/r. The orbit is given, we have to find f(r). * Details of the calculation: (a) u= (+1)?/a is given, d2u/d@? = (2/a). f(u) = -(M?u2/m) ((2/a) + u), f(r) = -(M2/ma) [(2/r?) + (a/r3)]. (b) At © = O and r= awe have ve = a(d@/dt), M= ma?do/dt. The impulse doubles vo and therefore doubles the angular momentum. After the impulse the equation of the orbit is ((2M)2u2/m)(d2u/do? + u) = (M2u2/m)((2/a) + u) or du/d@? = 1/(2a) + u/4-u = 1/(2a) - Yu. [The angular momentum of the particle has changed because of the impulse, but the force is still the same.] We want to solve this second order differential equation for u. Let u = Asin(B(® + 5)) +C, d@u/d@2 = - ABsin(B(@ + 5) = - B2u + B2C. Then B= %, BC = 1/(2a), C = 2/(3a), 1/r =A sin(/4(@ + 6) + 2/(3a). Initial conditions: Atr=a,=0, 1/a=Asin(/%6) + 2/(3a), Asin(/%6) = 1/ (3a). At r=a, dr/dt = 0. r= 1/[A sin(L34(@ + 5) + (2/(a))]. dr/dt = (M/mr2)dr/d® dr/dt |rea = 0, dr /d®|-0 = 0. dr/d@ = - r°V%Acos(/34(0 + 3)). At © = Owe have Ph beos(lY5) = 0. PHS = n/2. Therefore from above: A= 1/(a), 1/1 = [1/(Ba)]sin(/4O + 1/2) + 2/(3a). = 3a/[sin(/¥4® + 11/2) + 2/(3a)] describes the path of the particle after the impulse. slectron6. phys utk edu/PhysicsProblems/Mechanics/7-Central potentialther_central htm! 119‘Weare, 10:36 PM other central Problem: A particle of mass m moves with angular momentum M in a central potential V(r). It moves in a elliptical orbit with semi-major axis a and semi-minor axis b. The center of the ellipse is at the origin. Find the potential V(r), the magnitude of the central force f(r) and the energy of the particle Solution: * Concepts: Motion in a central potential, F = f(r)(r/r), f(r) = -dU/dr + Reasoning: For motion under the influence of a central force E and M are conserved, M=mr’d@/dt, E = Yam(dr/dt)? + Usee(r), User(r) = U(r) + M2/(2mr?). The equation that relates the orbit to the force is (M2u2/m)(d2u/d@? + u) = -f(u), where u=1/r. The orbit is given, we have to find f(r). + Details of the calculation: equation of an ellipse: x2/a? + y2/b? = OP a r2cos?@/a? + rsin2/b? = 1. 7? = atb?/(b2cos?@ + a’sin?®), u2 = (b?cos%@ + a?sin2)/(a?b?) b2)sin2)/(a2b2). u2 = (1/a2 + A2sin2@), with A? = (a2 - b2)/(a2b?). u= (t/a? + A’sin2o)*, (M2u2/m)(d2u/d@? + u) = -F(u) yields f(u). du/d® = A’sin@cos®/u, d2u/d@? = A2(cos2 - sin2)/u - (A’sin@cos@/u?)(du/d). u2(d2u/d@? + u) = (1/u)[u2A2(cos@ - sin?) - (A4sin2@cos?0) + u4] = (1/u)[(1/a2 + A2sin2@)A2(cos2@ - sin2@) - (A4sin2@cos@) + (1/a2 + A?sin2o)?] = (1/u)[ A2/a? + 1/4]. f(u) = (M2/m)[A2/a2 +1/a4]/u, f(r) = -(M2/m)[A2/a? + 1/a4]r = -(M2/m)[r/ (a2b2)]. We have a 3-dimensional harmonic oscillator. f(r) = kr, U(r) = Yekr2, k = (M2/m)/(a2b?). (For a circular orbit a= b =r, M=mor?. Therefore k = mw.) Atr=a dr/dt = 0, E = Uce(t), E = Yoka2 + M2/(2ma2) = (M2/(2ma2))(1/b2 + 1/a2). (b? + (a? Motion in a central potential with other forces present Problem: A particle of mass m moves in a plane under the influence of a central force of potential Vir) and also of a linear viscous drag -mk(dr/dt). Set up Lagrange’s equations of motion in plane slectron6. phys utk edu/PhysicsProblems/Mechanics/7-Central potentialther_central htm!‘Weare, 10:36 PM other central polar coordinates and show that the angular momentum decays exponentially. Solution: * Concepts: Motion in a central potential, Lagrange’s equations + Reasoning: We are asked to set up Lagrange’s equations of motion in plane polar coordinates for motion in a central potential subject to drag. * Details of the calculation: L=T-U = Ymf[(dr/dt)? + P2(d@/dt)?] - U(r). The generalized coordinates are r and ©. If a problem involves forces that cannot be derived from a potential, the Lagrange’s equations become d/dt(@L/2(dqi/dt)) - dL/2qj = Q, where the Q; are the generalized forces not derivable from a potential. The Q; are defined through Q) = F-dr/2qj. Here Q, =F, Qp = F:r/2 = Fo. [dr = dr (r/r) + rd@ (©/), 1/20 =r (0/)] F = -mk(dr/dt), F, = -mk(dr/dt), Fo = -mkr(d®/dt). Q,= -mk(dr/dt), Qo = -mkr2(d/dt). Lagrange’s equations yield the equations of motion. d/dt(@L/2(do/dt)) = -mkr2(do/dt), d/dt(mr2(d@/dt)) = dM/dt = -kM. M = Mgexp(-kt). The angular momentum decays exponentially. d/dt(@L/a(dr/dt)) - aL/2r = Q, md2r/dt2 - mr(d@/dt)? + 8U/ar = -km dr/dt. md?r/dt? - M2/(mr3) + 8U/8r = -km dr/dt. md?r/dt? - Mg2exp(-2kt)./(mr3) + 8U/dr = -km dr/dt. slectron6. phys utk edu/PhysicsProblems/Mechanics/7-Central potentialther_central htm! 9