PHYS5301, Final exam, P1

Two masses, m1 and m2 are moving through space with momenta p~1 and p~2 .
Consider the case where p~1 and p~2 are not parallel or anti parallel and define
p~1 ×~
p2
the vector ẑ = . Create a Cartesian coordinate system with the z
p1 p2 sin(θ12 )
axis along the direction of ẑ with origin O.

At time t m1 and m2 have displacements of (x1 , y1 , z1 ) and (x2 , y2 , z2 ).

There is a scaler interaction potential v(r12 ) between them but no external
forces are present.
q
r12 = (x1 − x2 )2 + (y1 − y2 )2 + (z1 − z2 )2 (1a)
p~1 (t) = m1 ẋ1 x̂ + m1 ẏ1 ŷ + m1 ż1 ẑ (1b)
p~2 (t) = m2 ẋ2 x̂ + m2 ẏ2 ŷ + m2 ż2 ẑ (1c)
At t = 0 ż1 = 0 and ż2 = 0 by construction of the coordinate system.

Initial Conditions, t=0

The masses are located at (x01 , y01 , z01 ) and (x02 , y02 , z02 ).

ICA. What is the initial mechanical energy, E?

If E is conserved explain why it’s conserved.

If if is not conserved explain why it is not conserved.

ICB. What is the initial total momentum, P~0 ?

~ ?
ICC. What is the initial total angular momentum, L0

Is the total angular momentum conserved for later times?

If it is conserved demonstrate how it is conserved.

If it is not conserved demonstrate how it is not conserved.

Dynamics and Kinematicsi, t > 0

Write the Lagrangian in terms of the 12 coordinates and their total
time derivatives

DKA Determine the equation of motion for particles 1 and 2 for their x
components.

DKB What is the total momentum P0x in the x directions for the two
masses?

1
 DKC Is the total momentum in the x direction conserved?

DKD Based on your results for P0x is P~0 conserved?

Importance of the Constants of Motion

The conservation laws are essential ingredientss for understanding the time
development of physical systems. Momenta are physical observables which have
an independent existence apart from specific coordinate systems. The time de-
velopment of the two body system we are discussing ties the motions of m1 and
m2 together by virtue of the constants of motion.

Kinematics

At some time t > 0 the observer at O notes that m1 is moving with a

momentum p~1 at angles θ1 and φ1 in his coordinates system.

p~1 = p1 (sin(θ1 )cos(φ1 )x̂ + sin(θ1 )sin(φ1 )ŷ + cos(θ1 )ẑ). (2)

Find the magnitude of p~1 and the magnitude and direction of p~2 .

Hints:

KA Find the cosine, cos(θ01 ), between P~0 and p~1 .

KB You can obtain two quadratic equations for the magnitude of p~2 from
the constants P~0 and energy E. Use this information to derive the equation you
need for |~
p1 |
.
Sample problem to test your kinematics solution
Assume the following parameters for the initial state at t = 0, using appropriate
units.
For m1 = 2, p1 = 10, θ1 = 20◦ , φ1 = 40◦

For m1 = 4, p2 = 20, θ1 = 130◦ , φ1 = 80◦

The potential energy is v(r12 ) = −0.1

r12 , where r12 is the distance between
m1 and m2 .

At a later time, t > 0 the observer at O sees from his reference frame when
the masses are at asymptotically large r12 → ∞, mass m1 is moving at θ1 = 30◦
φ1 = 95◦ .

Determine the magnitude of |~p1 | and determine the vector momentum p~2 .
Check that your solution conserves the total momentum of the system and the
mechanical energy.