UP 101: Introductory Mechanics

Problem Set 3 [Full Marks = 40]

Attempt all questions

The marks are indicated in the square brackets at the right corner for each question.

Deadline:27/10/2023

1. Virial theorem in one dimension

A particle of mass m is moving in one dimension subject to the potential V (x) = k|x|n , where k > 0
and n > 1. Show that the long time average of the kinetic and potential energies, T = (m/2)ẋ2 and
V = k|x|n , are related to the total energy E as
n 2
< T >= E and < V >= E
n+2 n+2
Note that the long time average of a function f (t) is defined to be
1 τ
Z
< f >= lim dtf (t)
τ →∞ τ 0

[5]

2. Oscillation frequencies
Consider N particles of mass m each, which are arranged around a circle of circumference N a,
so that the equilibrium spacing between nearest neighbors is equal to a. The masses are connected
by springs each of which has a spring constant k and an equilibrium length a. Find the oscillation
frequencies of all the normal modes. (Assume that the positions of all the masses, xn , are measured
along the circumference, not along the chord lengths). [5]

3. Two simple pendulums have the same length L and same bob mass m. The bobs are connected by
a spring with spring constant k and equilibrium length a, and the horizontal distance between the
bobs is also a at equilibrium. Find the frequencies of small oscillations for all the normal modes.
What do the displacements of the bobs look like in the different modes? [5]

4. For a particle of mass m moving in a central potential U (r) = −C/r,

(a) Show that the quantity

⃗ = p⃗ × L
A ⃗ − mC r̂

⃗˙ = 0.
is conserved i.e. show that A
(b) Use the above fact to demonstrate that the generic orbit has the form of a conic section. Take
⃗ and use the polar coordinates. (Hint: Calculate A
the x-axis to be along the sirection of A ⃗ · ⃗r).
(c) What is the eccentricity and hence the energy in terms of A ⃗ and the other parameters?

[2+2+1]

5. A particle of mass m moves in a circular orbit of radius R under the influence of a central force The
center of force C lies at a point on the circle (see Figure 1). What is the force law? [3]

1
 Figure 1: Figure for problem 5

6. A particle moves in two dimensions under the influence of a central force determined by the potential
V (r) = αrp + βrq . Find the powers p and q which make it possible to achieve a spiral orbit of the
form r = cθ2 with c a constant. [3]

7. Earth Comet Encounter

A comet is following a parabolic trajectory (Total Energy = 0) around the sun. Assuming that it lies
in the same plane as the Earth, find the maximum time that the comet will spend within the orbit of
the Earth. Assume that the orbit of Earth is Circular.

Comet
Earth

Sun

Figure 2: Figure for Q7

[5]

8. Tennis Racket Theorem

Consider an object with the principal moment of Inertia I1 , I2 and I3 around the three axis (say,
eˆ1 , eˆ2 and eˆ3 ) such that I1 > I2 > I3 . Now, It is practically impossible to start the body’s rotation
with the angular velocity ω along a particular axis. In most cases, the body’s motion deviates from
the principal axis. The task in this problem is to show that the motion about the axis eˆ1 and eˆ3 are
stable, and the one around the axis eˆ2 is unstable. Stable means that if the ω vector deviates by a
small amount from the respective principal axis, it won’t deviate much from the initial motion after
a long time, whereas unstable means that after a long time, the deviation from the initial motion
would be so much that it won’t resemble the initial motion. Use the Euler Equations to prove the
above statement.
You can try the above experiment with a lightweight book. You will see that motion around the
principal axis eˆ1 and eˆ3 is stable, but around the intermediate axis, it is unstable. It begins to wobble
messily. Also, see the following YouTube Videos for the demonstration of the above interesting
Problem: Video 1 and Video 2.
For more information, see the following website: Tennis Racket Theorem [5]

9. Yukawa Force Orbit

A particle of mass moves in a circle of radius R under the influence of a central attractive force
K −r/a
F =− e
r2
• Determine the conditions on the constant a such that the circular motion will be stable.

2
• Compute the frequency of small radial oscillations about this circular motion.

[2+2]