Analytical Mechanics I Sem.

2017-2
Problem set 3 Deadline for solutions: 23-11-2017

3.1 Wheel rolling leaned against a vertical wall

A massive circular disk of mass m, radius R, and negligible thickness is leaned against a
vertical wall, slanting by 45 . In the gravitational field, it can oscillate, rolling without
slip on the ground and along the wall.
a
Calculate the moment of
inertia of the disk around
an axis in the plane of the
disk and through its center.
b
To leading order in ✓,
the oscillation angle, what is
the trajectory of the center
of mass of the disk? Is the
horizontal position (✓ = 0)
stable? θ

c g

How is the spatial motion

of the center of mass related
to the rolling angle, again to 45°
lowest order in ✓?
d
In the same approximation, write the Lagrangian of this system and the equation of motion
for ✓ and find the frequency of small oscillations around the equilibrium position.

3.2 Gravitation inside a planet

A small sphere (mass m, radius negligible) falls without
friction through a straight tunnel drilled all the way
through a planet, however not through its center but
at a distance a from it. Suppose that the planet is a
mass M of spherical shape (radius R) and
homogeneous density ⇢ = 3M/4⇡R3 .
a
Determine the gravitational force inside the planet (r  R) under these conditions as a
function of r, making use of Gauss’ law. (Gauss’ law assures that inside a mass distribution
of spherical symmetry, ⇢(x) = ⇢(r), the gravitational force at a radius r is the same as if
all the mass inside a fictitious sphere of this radius were concentrated in the origin, while
the mass outside this sphere has no e↵ect.)

1
b
Find the component of this gravitational force parallel to the axis of the tunnel, as the
mass point feels it. Taking this into account, of which type will be the movement of the
body inside the planet, if it is released at one of the mouths of the tunnel at the surface?
How much time does it need for a single “return trip” from one opening to the other and
back?

3.3 Meteors

The gravitation exerted by a homogeneous massive sphere (radius R, mass M ) fixed in

space deflects point masses (mass m) approaching from infinity with initial velocity v1
and dispersion parameter s.
a
Which quantities are conserved in this scattering process? Find the e↵ective potential
Vtot (r) for the radial variable r.
b
Based on the e↵ective potential, calculate the value smin of the scattering parameter, for
which the smallest distance rmin of the scattered particles from the centre of the sphere
coincides with its radius R. Therefore, what is the total cross section for absorption, i.e.,
for collisions with the sphere?