Unit 3 Tutorial Sheet 1 (PH1101 Aug-Nov 2015)

20.09.2015

Polar Coordinates, Angular Momentum Conservation etc.

1. Consider a semi-circular disk of uniform density and radius R that is lying in x y
plane. Let the centre of the disk be at the origin and let its diameter be along the
x-axis.
(a) Working in the Cartesian coordinates, find the centre-of-mass of the disk.
(b) Arrive at the same result by working in the plane polar coordinates.
2. A bead moves along the spoke of a wheel at constant outward speed u. The wheel
rotates with uniform angular velocity about an axis fixed in space. At t = 0 the
spoke is along the x-axis, and the bead is at the origin. Find the beads velocity and
acceleration at time t in polar as well as in Cartesian coordinates.
3. (a) Obtain the expression for the line-element d~r in polar coordinates using
d~r =

~r
~r
dr +
d .
r

(b) Use the above result and df = d~r f to find the expression for the gradient
operator in polar coordinate system.
4. A diatomic molecule (in general, two dissimilar atoms of different masses m1 and m2
bound to each other through an interatomic potential leading to a central force) is
capable of executing complex dynamics. A convenient way of describing this complex
motion is through the use of the centre of mass coordinates (CM system). In the CM
system the complex motion can be expressed in terms of translational, rotational and
vibrational components.
We look at a simplified one-dimensional version of the problem where we focus on
translational and vibrational motion. Assuming that there are no external forces
acting on the diatomic molecule, write down the equations of motion for
(a) the translation of the CM coordinate X with respect to your origin,
(b) the relative motion of the atoms with respect to the CM describing vibration
(use x1 and x2 as the co-ordinates of atoms 1 and 2; treat the equilibrium
separation of the atoms as ` and proceed. Recall that for small relative displacements between the atoms from their equilibrium positions, the restoring
force is proportional to the relative displacement (the proportionality constant
can be taken as k).
Solve the equations of motion. There is a video link (uploaded in Moodle) that
captures these motions beautifully. Look at the limiting cases when (m1/m2 )
and when the spring is so stiff that it is rigid.
5. A charged particle (charge: q, mass: m) with a velocity v enters a region of space
where a magnetic field B exists. Take B to be spatially uniform and time independent.

(a) Deduce, from the Lorentz force and F = ma, that the motion is confined to
a plane whose normal is either parallel or perpendicular to B [Hint: Express
v = v +vk where the perpendicular and parallel components are with reference
to B.]
(b) Use a two dimensional Cartesian coordinate system and obtain the solutions.
Note that even though we have a coupled set of equations in the Cartesian
coordinate system, we can proceed to eliminate v2 in favour of v1 and proceed.
(c) Write down the equations of motion in component form in a suitably chosen
two dimensional polar coordinate system.
(d) Identify an equation for the rate of change of angular momentum,
(e) Obtain the solutions for the coupled set of equations for two special cases,
(a)r = 0, and (b) = 0 Treat these cases separately.
(f) Write down the conserved quantities.