8.

1 Rolling hoop

(a)
v ΩR
ωs = = =Ω
R R
ω = ω s + Ω = Ω(ĵ + k̂)
(b)
L = Ls + Lω = I s ω s + Iz Ω
3
I s = MR2 Iz = I0 + MR2 = MR2
! 2
3
L = MR2 ω s + Ω = MR2 Ω(ĵ + 32 k̂)
2
The lower sketches show that ω and L are not parallel.
We treated L as the angular momentum of a body
with moment of inertia from the parallel axis
theorem. L can also be viewed as the sum of
orbital angular momentum MR2 Ω plus spin
angular momentum (1/2)MR2 Ω.
 RIGID BODY MOTION 139

8.2 Flywheel on rotating table

The angle of tilt is assumed

to be small so that sin x ≈ x.
The torque can be calculated
from the forces T at either
end of the axle (points B, C)
or from the forces T 0 = T at
either end of the spring
suspension (points A, D).
τBC = 2l(T sin 2β) ≈ 4lT β
τAD = 4l(T sin β) ≈ 4lT β
The spin angular momentum L s = I0 ω s
is a vector of constant magnitude rotating at angular
speed Ω. From Secs. 1.10.1 and 8.3,
dL s
= ΩL s
dt
dL s ΩL s
τ= =⇒ 4lT β = ΩL s =⇒ β =
dt 4lT

8.3 Suspended gyroscope

Note that in this problem, β and Ω

are both unknown quantities,

Assume β is small, so that sin β ≈ β

and cos β ≈ 1. Hence x = l + L0 sin β ≈ l + L0 β.

equations of motion:

Mg = T cos β ≈ T
Tβ gβ
MxΩ2 = T sin β ≈ T β =⇒ Ω2 = =
Mx l + L0 β
torque :
Mgl
T l = L̇ s = ΩI0 ω s =⇒ Ω =
I0 ω s
!2
gβ Mgl
= Ω 2
=
l + L0 β I0 ω s
2 2 0 2 3
!
M gl L M gl
β 1− 2 2 = 2 2
I0 ω s I0 ω s
140 RIGID BODY MOTION

8.4 Grain mill

F is the force exerted by the pivot. The millstone

rolls without slipping, so ω s b = ΩR.
1 2 R
  1
L s = I0 ω s = Mb Ω = MbRΩ
2 b 2
dL s 1
= ωL s = MbRΩ2
dt 2
dL s 1
τ pivot = (N − Mg)R = = MbRΩ2
dt 2
1 Ω2
!
N = Mg 1 + b
2 g
The millstone exerts a downward force N > Mg
due to the downward force of the pivot: N = Mg + Fv .

8.5 Automobile on a curve

(a) The radial equation of motion is f = MV 2 /r. Without

the flywheel, the torque due to friction f is balanced by the
torque due to the unequal loading N1 and N2 . For equal
loading N10 = N20 , these forces produce no torque.
The flywheel thus needs to produce a counterclockwise
torque on the car to balance the clockwise torque
from f 0 . The torque on the flywheel by
the car must therefore be clockwise, so that the
spin angular momentum L s must increase
in the forward direction of the car’s motion.
If the car turns in the opposite direction, both the torque and
the direction are reversed, so equal loading remains satisfied.
One can also argue that the torque on the total car-flywheel
system by the friction force f 0 must cause L s to increase in
the forward direction by precessing at the rate Ω = V/r,
which can be achieved by mounting the flywheel’s axis
transverse to the car’s motion (parallel to the
car’s axles). For L s in the horizontal plane,
the flywheel’s disk must be in the vertical plane.

continue next page =⇒

 RIGID BODY MOTION 141

(b) The torque τroad due the road’s friction force f 0 is

V2
τroad = L0 f 0 = L0 M
r
The torque τ f lywheel due to the flywheel is
V V 1 V
τ f lywheel = L s Ω = Ł s = I0 ω s = mR2 ω s
r r 2 r
2
V 1 V
τroad = τ f lywheel =⇒ L0 M = mR2 ω s
r 2 r
MV
ω s = 2L0
m R2

The result does not include the radius r of the turn, but ω s must be kept proportional
to V.

8.6 Rolling coin

As the coin rolls with speed V around the circle of

radius R, it rotates around the vertical at rate Ω = V/R.
This rotation is caused by precession of of its spin angular
momentum due to the torque induced by the tilt. For rolling
without slipping, V = bω s , so Ω = ω s (b/R).
The coin is accelerating, so take torques about the
center of mass. From the force diagram,

τcm = f b cos α − Nb sin α

MV 2
N = Mg f =
R
The equation of motion for L s is
b
τcm = ΩL s cos α = ΩI0 ω s cos α = ω2s I0 cos α
R
 V 2 b ! 1 !
1
!
2 b
= Mb cos α = MV
2
cos α
b R 2 2 R
!
2 b
= MV cos α − Mgb sin α
R
V2 1 V2
!
1
tan α = 1− =
Rg 2 2 Rg
142 RIGID BODY MOTION

8.7 Suspended hoop

(a) The spin angular momentum is L s = I0 ω s = MR2 ω s .

The equation of motion for L s is

τ = ω s L s sin β ≈ ω s L s β (directed out of the paper)

L s = I0 ω s = MR2 ω s
T cos α = Mg =⇒ τ = RT cos α ≈ MgR
g
MgR = ω s L s β = MR2 ω s 2 β =⇒ β =
Rω s 2
(b) equation of motion: (the cm moves in a loop of radius r)

T sin α = Mrω s 2 =⇒ g tan α = rω s 2

g
r = 2 tan α
ωs
(c) To gauge the validity of the solution,. compare the torque τcm needed to spin
the center of mass with the torque τhoop needed to spin the hoop.
τcm r g tan α
τcm = Mgr τhoop = MgR =⇒ = =
τhoop R Rω2
The solution is therefore only valid for large ω, so that τcm can be neglected. The
criterion is equivalent to being able to twirl a lariat vertically as well as horizontally.

8.8 Deflected hoop

(a) The force F due to the stick and the friction force f exert a
horizontal torque directed into the paper. The hoop is vertical,
so gravity exerts no torque. The blow by the stick is short,
so the peak of force F is large; f can be neglected
during the time of impact. The torque τ into the paper is then Fb.
The spin speed for rolling without slipping is ω s = V/b and
the spin angular momentum is L s = I0 ω s = Mb2 ω s = MVb.
The equation of motion for L s is

τ = L s Ω =⇒ Fb = MVbΩ

where Ω = dΦ/dt is the angular speed around the vertical axis.

Z Z
dΦ F F 0 1 I
Ω= = =⇒ ∆Φ = dt = Fdt0 =
dt MV MV MV MV

continued next page =⇒

 RIGID BODY MOTION 143

(b) The angular momentum around the vertical axis is

1
Lvertical = IΦ Ω = Mb2 Ω
2
For the solution in (a) to be valid, Lvertical  L s .
1 F 2MV 2
Mb2  MVb =⇒ F 
2 MV b

8.9 Stability of a bicycle

The torque τh about the center of mass is

into the paper.

τh = N(1.5b) tan α − f (1.5b)

MV 2
= Mg(1.5b) tan α − (1.5b)
R
The total spin angular momentum (two wheels) is
V
L s = 2I0 ω s = 2mb2 = 2mbV
b
V
τh = Lh Ω = L s cos α
R
MV 2 V2
Mg(1.5b) tan α − (1.5b) = 2mb cos α
R R
2
!
V 4m
tan α = 1+ cos α
Rg 3M
Because m/M  1, the second term in parentheses is
a small correction and it is adequate to take cos α ≈ 1.
V2
!
4m
tan α ≈ 1+
Rg 3M

Converting units, using g = 32 ft/s2 ,

! ! !
20 miles 5280 ft 1 hour
V= × × = 29.3 ft/s
hour mile 3600 s
4m V2
= 0.048 = 0.268
3M Rg
tan α = (0.268)(1.048) = 0.28
α ≈ 16◦

If spin is neglected, the term in m/M should be omitted. Then α ≈ 15◦ . The spin-
ning wheels increase the tilt angle by only about a degree, not a substantial effect.
Without a rider, M is smaller and α is larger.
144 RIGID BODY MOTION

8.10 Measuring latitude with a gyro

The gyro’s disk is spinning with angular speed ω s .

(a) If the gyro’s spin angular momentum L s is parallel
to the Earth’s angular velocity Ωe (upper sketch),
L s does not change direction as the Earth rotates, and the
axis of the gyro remains stationary. Its axis is then at the latitude
angle λ with respect to the local horizontal, which lies along the
meridian in the north-south (N-S) direction.

(b) The magnitude of L s is constant, but there are two different ways
to change the angular momentum of the gyro disk. Let I0 be
the moment of inertia about the gyro’s spin axis, L s = I0 ω s , and let
I⊥ be the moment of inertia about the horizontal a − b axis.
Let Φ be the angle between L s and Ωe , (lower sketch).
(1) rotation of L s about Ωe :
The component of L s perpendicular to Ωe is L s sin Φ, so

rate of change (1) = L s sin ΦΩe ≈ L s Ωe Φ = I0 ω s Ωe Φ

(2) rotation of the gyro disk about a-b by Φ:

dΦ
angular momentum about a-b : = I⊥
dt
d2 Φ
rate of change (2) : = I⊥ 2
dt
The two contributions are parallel to the a − b axis, and add. There is no applied
torque, so the net rate of change is 0.
d2 Φ
I⊥ + (I0 ω s Ωe )Φ = 0
dt2
This is the equation for SHM, with oscillation frequency ωosc and period T osc .
I0 ω s Ωe
r
ωosc = T osc = 2π/ωosc
I⊥
p
I⊥ = I0 /2 for a thin disk =⇒ ωosc = 2ω s Ωe
(2π) 4.0 × 104 rad
! !
1 min
ω s = 4.0 × 10 rpm =
4
× = 4.19 × 103 rad/s
min 60 s
! !
2π rad 1 day
Ωe = × 4
= 7.27 × 10−5 rad/s
day 8.64 × 10 s
p 2π
ωosc = (2)(4.19 × 103 )(7.27 × 10−5 ) = 0.78 rad/s T osc = = 8.1 s
ωosc
 RIGID BODY MOTION 145

8.11 Tensor of inertia

(a)

I xx = m(y2 + z2 ) = m((0)2 + (3)2 ) = 9m

Iyy = m(x2 + z2 ) = m((2)2 + (3)2 ) = 13m
Izz = m(x2 + y2 ) = m((2)2 + (0)2 ) = 4m
I xy = Iyx = −m(xy) = −m(2)(0) = 0
Iyz = Izy = −m(yz) = −m(0)(3) = 0
I xz = Izx = −m(xz) = −m(2)(3) = 6m

In matrix form,
 
 9 0 −6
I˜ = m  0 13 0 
 
 
−6 0 4
(b) To order α2 ,

x = 2 cos α ≈ 2 − α2 y = 2 sin α ≈ 2α z=3

 9 + 4α2 −6 + 3α2 
 
−4α
I˜0 = m  −4α
 
13 − 4α2 −6α 
−6 + 3α2
 
−6α 4
Comparing with part (a), note that the moments of inertia
(along the main diagonal of the matrix) vary only as α2 ,
but some of the products of inertia (off-diagonal elements)
can vary linearly with α.

When making such approximations, be sure to include all terms

up to the highest order retained. For example,

Izz0 = m[x2 + y2 ] = m[(2 − α2 )2 + (2α)2 ] ≈ m[4 − 4α2 + 4α2 ] = 4m

146 RIGID BODY MOTION

8.12 Euler’s disk

The contact point moves on the surface in a circle of radius

R cos α, with speed V = (R cos α)(Ω p . The disk is
assumed to roll without slipping, so Rω s = V = (R cos α)Ω p .
equations of motion:

0 = N − Mg =⇒ N = Mg
MV 2 M(R cos α)2 Ω2p
f = = = MR cos α Ω2p
R cos α R cos α
The total angular velocity is Ω p + ω s = ωr . As shown
in the sketches, ωr lies along the axis from the contact point to
the center of mass. The moment of inertia along this axis is
1 1
I⊥ = I0 = MR2
2 4
The spin angular momentum is
1
L s = I⊥ ωr = MR2 Ω p sin α
4
The horizontal component of the spin angular momentum is
1
Lh = L s cos α = MR2 cos α sin α Ω p
4
torque about the cm (positive is into the paper):

τcm = NR cos α − f R sin α = MgR cos α − MR2 cos α sin α Ω2p

 
= MR cos α g − R sin α Ω2p
10.1 Equations of motion

L = µ r2 θ̇ (10.5) (1)
1
E = µ (ṙ2 + r2 θ̇2 ) + U(r) (10.6b) (2)
2
Angular momentum and mechanical energy are both conserved, so their derivatives
with respect to time vanish.
dL
Differentiating Eq. (1), µ (2rṙθ̇ + r2 θ̈) = =0
dt
which can be written µ (rθ̈ + 2ṙθ̇) = 0 (3) =⇒ = Eq. (10.4b)
1 dU dE
Differentiating Eq. (2), µ (2ṙr̈ + 2rṙθ̇2 + 2r2 θ̇ θ̈) + ṙ = =0
2 dr dt
dU
which can be written µ [ṙr̈ + rθ̇(ṙθ̇ + rθ̈)] + ṙ = 0
dr
Using Eq. (3) to eliminate rθ̈ = −2ṙθ̇, and cancelling the common factor ṙ,
dU
µ (r̈ − rθ̇2 ) +
=0
dr
Using dU/dr = − f (r), Eq. (10.4a) is obtained.
µ (r̈ − rθ̇2 ) = f (r)
 CENTRAL FORCE MOTION 157

10.2 r3 central force

(a)
f(r) = −Ar3 r̂
Z r
1
U(r) − U(0) = − f (r0 )dr0 = Ar4 taking U(0) = 0.
0 4
L2 1 4 L2
Ue f f (r) = U(r) + = Ar +
2mr2 4 2mr2
A = 4.0 dynes/cm L = 10 g/cm2 · s m = 50.0 g
3 3

1.0 × 104
!
Ue f f = r +
4
ergs
r2

(b) Circular motion occurs at rmin , the

minimum value of Ue f f , where
dUe f f /dr = 0
dUe f f 2.0 × 104
= 4rmin
3
− 3
=0
dr rmin rmin
6
rmin = 5.0 × 103 cm6
rmin = 4.1 cm

(c)
Ue f f (r0 ) = Ue f f (2r0 )
1.0 × 104 1.0 × 104
+ r 4
0 = + (2r0 )4
r02 (2r0 )2
1 1.0 × 104
! !
= + 16.0 r04
4 r02
3 1.0 × 104
! !
15.0 r0 =
4
4 r02
!
3
r06 = × 104 = 500
60
r0 = 2.8 cm
158 CENTRAL FORCE MOTION

10.3 Motion with 1/r3 central force

Write the radial force as

2A
f (r) = − 3 where A is a constant
r
Z r !
2A A
U(r) − U(∞) = − − 0 3 dr0 = − 2
∞ r r
Take U(∞) = 0.
L2 L2 1
!
Ue f f = U(r) + = −A +
2mr2 2m r2

If A = L2 /(2m), then Ue f f = 0; the radial force is 0, so the radial motion is uniform

(v is constant).

r(t) = r0 + vt

For this case,

r
2A 1
2mA = L2 = (mr2 θ̇)2 =⇒ θ̇ =
m r2
Z θ(t) r Z r(t)
2A dt
dθ =
0
θ0 m r0 r 0 2
r Z r(t)
2A dt dr0
=
m r0 dr0 r0 2
r Z r(t) 0
2A 1 dr
=
m v r0 r0 2
r !
2A 1 1 1
θ(t) = θ0 + −
m v r0 r(t)
As t → ∞, r(t) → ∞, so θ(t) → constant; there is no further rotation.
 CENTRAL FORCE MOTION 159

10.4 Possible stable circular orbits

Write Ue f f as Ue f f = U(r) + L2 /(2mr2 ) ≡ −A/rn + B/r2

where A is an unspecified force constant and
B = L2 /(2m). For a stable circular orbit, Ue f f must
have a minimum at some radius r0 .
dUe f f nA 2B
0= = n+1 − 3
dr r0 r0 r0
nA 2B
n+1
= 3 (1)
r0 r0
To be a minimum,
d2 Ue f f n(n + 1)A 6B
> 0 =⇒ − + 4 >0
dr2 r0
r0 n+2 r0

Using Eq. (1),

(n + 1)(2B) 6B
− + 4 >0
r0 4 r0
from which follows n + 1 ≤ 3 or n ≤ 2.
The case n = 0 does not work, but n < 0 is all right for any n.
See Problem 10.2 for the case U(r) ∝ r4 .
The figure is drawn for A = 20, B = 12, n = 1.5, which gives r0 ≈ 0.89.

10.5 Central spring force

(a) radial equation of motion for a circular orbit at r0 :

mv2
= kr0
r0
mechanical energy:
1 2 1 2
E= Mv + kr
2 0 2 0
1 1
= kr02 + kr02 = kr02
2 2
k = 3.0 N/m and E = 12.0 J

E = kr02 =⇒ 12.0 J = (3.0 N/m) r02 =⇒ r0 = 2.0 m

1 2 E 12.0 J √
Mv0 = = 6.0 J =⇒ v20 = =⇒ v0 = 6.0 ≈ 2.45 m/s
2 2 2.0 kg
continued next page =⇒
 160 CENTRAL FORCE MOTION

For this particular force, r0 occurs where the two curves intersect, as shown in
the figure below.
dUe f f L2 /M L2
= − 3 + kr0 = 0 =⇒ r04 =
dr r0 kM

The curves intersect at

L2 1 2 L2
= kr =⇒ r 4
=
2Mr02 2 0 0
kM

The radial blow changes the total mechanical

energy but not the angular momentum = Mv0 r0 ,
so Ue f f is unchanged, as indicated in the figure.
The radial blow increases E by
1 2 1
∆E = Mṙ = (2.0 kg)(1.0 m/s)2 = 1.0 J
2 2
E f = Ei + ∆E = 12.0 + 1.0 = 13.0 J
(c)
1 2 L2
Ue f f = kr +
2 2Mr2
1 1 (Mv0 r0 )2
= kr2 + (1)
2 2 2Mr2
At the turning points, the kinetic energy is 0,
E = Ue f f , and r = rtp . √
With Ue f f = 13.0 J, M = 2.0 kg, v0 = 6.0 m/s, k = 3.0 N/m,
(b)
1 2 1 Mv20 r02
Ue f f = krtp + 2
2 2 rtp
1 1 (2.0)(6.0)(2.0)2
13.0 = (3.0) rtp
2
+ 2
2 2 rtp
3 4
0 = rtp 2
− 13.0 rtp + 24.0
2 √
13.0 ± 169.0 − 144.0 13.0 ± 5.0
2
rtp = =
3.0 3.0
rtp = 1.63 m, 2.45 m
 CENTRAL FORCE MOTION 161

10.6 r4 central force

F = −Kr4 r̂
Z r
1
U(r) = K r04 dr0 = Kr5
0 5
2
l 1 5 l2
Ue f f = U(r) + = Kr +
2mr2 5 2mr2
For circular motion at r = r0 ,
!1
l2 1 l2 7
!
dUe f f
0= = −Kr04 =⇒ r0 =
dr r0 m r03 Km
2
!
1 l 1
E0 = Ue f f (r0 ) = Kr05 +
5 2m r02
From Sec. 10.3.3, Ue f f includes the kinetic energy due to tangential motion; for
circular motion, there is no kinetic energy due to radial motion.
!5 2 5 !5 !5
l2 l2  Km  7  Km  7 l2 7 l2 7
!
1 7 7
E0 = K + = K
5 Km 2m l2 l2 Km 10 Km
To find the oscillation frequency ω, follow the approach in Sec. 6.2, and expand
Ue f f about r0 . Let r  r0 be a small displacement.
1 d2 Ue f f 3l2 2
!
1
Ue f f = Ue f f (r0 ) + 0 + r + ...
2
≈ Ue f f (r0 ) + 4Kr0 + 4 r
3
2 dr2 r0 2 mr0
 3 4 3 3 
l2 7 3l2  Km  7  Km  7 l2 7  2
! ! ! 
1 

= Ue f f (r0 ) + 4K +  r
2 Km m l2 l2 Km 
! 3 
 
2
1 l 7

= Ue f f (r0 ) + 7K
 2
 r
2 Km 

The effective spring constant k is therefore

!3
l2 7
k = 7K
Km
v
u
t  3
r l2 7
k 7K Km
ω= =
m m
162 CENTRAL FORCE MOTION

10.7 Transfer to escape

The mechanical energy in an elliptic orbit is < 0. For escape,

the energy must be increased to ≥ 0. The satellite does not
move far during the brief firing time, so the potential energy
is essentially unchanged. The change in kinetic energy is
1 1
∆K = m(vi + ∆v)2 − mv2i
2 2
1
= m (vi · ∆v) + m ∆v2
2
The change is largest if ∆v k vi and when vi is largest. These
conditions are satisfied best at the closest point (perigee).

10.8 Projectile rise

1 l2
Ei = U(Re ) + mṙ2 +
2 2mRe
where l = mv0 sin α Re .
GMe m 1 2
Ei = − + mv0
Re 2
At the top of the trajectory, ṙ = 0.
GMe m l2
Ef = − +
r 2mr2
GMe m 1 2  R 2
e
=− + mv0 sin2 α
r 2 r
The rocket is in free flight, so Ei = E f .

GMe m 1 2 GMe m 1 2  R 2
e
− + mv0 = − + mv0 sin α 2
Re 2 r 2 r
2
GMe 1 2 GMe 1 2  Re 
− + v0 = − + v0 sin2 α (1)
Re 2 r 2 r
q
It is given that v0 = GM
Re
e
so Eq. (1) becomes, with x ≡ r/Re ,

2 sin2 α
−1 = − + 2
=⇒ 0 = x2 − 2x + sin2 α
x p x
2 ± 4 − 4 sin2 α
x= =⇒ r = Re (1 ± cos α)
2
continued next page =⇒
 CENTRAL FORCE MOTION 163

Take the + sign, because r > Re . so that r = Re (1 + cos α) The rocket rises to a
height Re cos α above the Earth’s surface.

10.9 Halley’s comet

The period of an elliptic orbit depends only on the major axis A and the mass of the
attractor. In this problem, the reduced mass µ is very nearly the mass of the comet.
Using Eq. (10.31),
C GMS un µ
U(r) = − =−
r r
!1
µ 1 2 2 3
= =⇒ A = 2 T GMS un
C GMS un π
3.16 × 107 s
!
T = (76 years) = 2.40 × 109 s
year
G = 6.67 × 10 m · kg−1 · s−2
−11 3
MS un = 1.99 × 1030 kg
A = 5.37 × 1012 m

For comparison, the diameter of the Earth’s orbit is 2.98 × 1011 m.

From Eq. (10.21), the equation of an elliptic orbit is
r0
r=
1 −  cos θ
r0
rmin ≡ r perihelion =
1+
r0
rmax ≡ raphelion =
1− !
1 1 2r0
A = r perihelion + raphelion = r0 + =
1+ 1− 1 − 2
1 1
r0 = A(1 −  2 ) = (5.37 × 1012 m)(1 − (0.967)2 ) = 1.74 × 1011 m
2 2

(a)
1.74 × 1011
r perihelion = = 8.86 × 1010 m
1.967
1.74 × 1011
raphelion = = 5.27 × 1012 m
1 − 0.967
continued next page =⇒
164 CENTRAL FORCE MOTION

(b) The comet’s maximum speed vmax occurs at perihelion, as it must because of
the law of equal areas. Here are two ways of finding vmax .
method 1: angular momentum L = µ vmax r perihelion

From Eq. (10.19),

L2 = ro µ C = r0 µ2 GMS un
√ p
L r0GMS un (1.74 × 1011 )(6.67 × 10−11 )(1.99 × 1030 )
vmax = = = = 5.42 × 104 m/s
µ r perihelion r perihelion 8.86 × 1010
method 2: Eq. (10.30)
!
2C 1 1
v2max = −
µ r perihelion A
! !
A − r perihelion raphelion
= (2GMS un ) = (2GMS un )
Ar perihelion Ar perihelion
5.27 × 1012
!
= (2)(6.67 × 10 )(1.99 × 10 )
−11 30
= 2.94 × 109
(5.37 × 1012 )(8.86 × 1010 )
vmax = 5.42 × 104 m/s

10.10 Satellite with air friction

For m in a circular orbit under an attractive force C/r2 ,

mv2 C 1 1C 1
= 2 =⇒ K = mv2 = = − U(r)
r r 2 2r 2

(a)
1 1 1C
E = K + U = − U(r) + U(r) = U(r) = − = −K
2 2 2r
(b) The energy loss per revolution ∆E due to friction is −2π r f .
∆E 4π r3 f
!
dE −2π r f
∆E = ∆r =⇒ ∆r = = = −
dr dE/dr C/(2r2 ) C
The radius of the orbit decreases because of friction.
(c) In the circular orbit, E = −K.
∆K = −∆E = +2π r f
Friction causes the total mechanical energy E to decrease. Because K = −E, a
decrease in the total energy is accompanied by an increase in the kinetic energy.
Friction causes the satellite’s speed to increase!
 CENTRAL FORCE MOTION 165

10.11 Mass of the Moon

Let the major axis be A, and the period T . Kepler’s Third Law gives

π2 µ 3 π2 1
T2 = A = A3
2C 2 GM Moon
π A
2 3
! !
1
M Moon = 2
2 T G
A = (1861 + 1839) km = 3.70 × 103 m
!
1 minute
T = (119 minutes) = 7.14 × 103 s
60 s
G = 6.67 × 10 m · kg−1 · s−2
−11 3

π2 (3.70 × 106 m)3

" #" !
1
M Moon = ]
2 (7.14 × 103 s)2 6.67 × 10−11 m3 · kg−1 · s−2
= 7.35 × 1022 kg

10.12 Hohmann transfer orbit

Let vc be the speed in a circular orbit, and let ve be the

speed in the elliptic transfer orbit.
The total mechanical energy E of a mass m
moving in the Earth’s gravitational field is

1 2 GmMe 1 2 mgR2e
E = mv − = mv −
2 r 2 r
The equation of motion in a circular orbit is

m(vc )2 mgR2e
=
r r2
1 mgR2e mgR2e 1 mgR2e
E= − =−
2 r r 2 r
√
Note that gRe has the dimensions of velocity.
q
gRe = (9.8 m · s−2 )(6.4 × 106 m) = 7.92 × 103 m/s
p

continued next page =⇒

166 CENTRAL FORCE MOTION

(a)
1 mgR2e
!
1
rA = 2Re =⇒ E A = − = − mgRe
2 2Re 4
2
!
1 mgRe 1
rB = 4Re =⇒ E B = − = − mgRe
2 4Re 8
!
1 1 1
∆E = − + mgRe = mgRe
8 4 8
1
= (3 × 103 kg)(7.92 × 103 m/s)2
8
= 2.35 × 1010 J
(b) The transfer orbit is a semi-ellipse with perigee at A and apogee at B. The major
axis A of the ellipse is

A = rA + rB = 2Re + 4Re = 6Re

The energy E 0 is
mgR2e 1
E0 = − = − mgRe
A 6
K = −E in a circular orbit, so
1 1
KA = m(vcA )2 = −E A = mgRe
2r 4
gRe
vcA =
2
The speed at A for transfer is

KA0 + U A = E 0
1 1 1 1
m(veA )2 = − mgRe + mgRe = mgRe
2 r6 2 3
2gRe
veA =
3
r r
2gRe gRe
∆vA = veA − vcA = − = (0.109)(7.92 × 103 m/s) = 864 m/s
3 2
continued next page =⇒
 CENTRAL FORCE MOTION 167

The initial speed at B is

1 1 mgR2e 1
m(veB )2 = E 0 − U B = − mgRe + = mgRe
2 6 4Re 12
r
gRe
veB =
6
The final speed at B in the new circular orbit is
1 1 GmMe 1
m(vcB )2 = = mgRe
2 2 RB 8
1
vcB =
p
gRe
2
The change in speed at B is
 r 
 1 1  p
∆vB = vB − vB =  −
c e
 gRe = 727 m/s
2 6
This problem can also be solved readily using Eq. (10.30).

10.13 Lagrange point L1

Take the center of mass at the center of the Sun,

because MS un  M J and the asteroid’s mass m is
small. Jupiter rotates about the Sun at angular
speed Ω. The asteroid also rotates about the Sun
at rate Ω, so the three bodies remain in line,
the characteristic behavior at a Lagrange point.
GMS un M J GMS un
M J RΩ2 = 2
=⇒ Ω2 =
R R3
(a) In the rotating system, the forces on m are the real gravitational forces of the
Sun and Jupiter, and the fictitious force m(R − x1 )Ω2 . In equilibrium, the total
force on m is 0.

GmMS un GmM J
− 2
+ 2
+ m(R − x1 )Ω2 = 0
(R − x1 ) x1
MS un MJ MS un
− 2
+ 2 + (R − x1 ) 3 = 0 (1)
(R − x1 ) x1 R
continued next page =⇒
168 CENTRAL FORCE MOTION

(b) data:
R = 7.78 × 1011 m x1 = 5.31 × 1010 m R − x1 = 7.25 × 1011 m
MS un = 1.99 × 1030 kg M J = 1.90 × 1027 kg

Inserting in Eq. (1),

1.99 × 1030 1.90 × 1027 (7.25 × 1011 )(1.90 × 1030 ) ?
− + + =0
(7.25 × 1011 )2 (5.31 × 1010 )2 (7.78 × 1011 )3
?
−0.02 × 106 = 0
The calculated result is consistent with 0, within the numerical accuracy of the
data and the approximations.

(c) As required for a Lagrange point, all three bodies rotate about their center of
mass at the same angular speed Ω. Neglecting perturbations, the configuration
is therefore unchanging during the rotation.
In the rotating system, m is acted upon by the real gravitational forces of the
Sun and Jupiter, and by the fictitious centrifugal force mr Ω2 . The forces are in
balance at equilibrium, with fixed Ω, so a larger gravitational force leads to a
larger orbital radius r for the asteroid to increase the centrifugal force for bal-
ance.
Lagrange point L2: Both the Sun and Jupiter exert an additive inward gravita-
tional force on m, so the asteroid’s orbit is somewhat outside R as indicated,
with R + x2 > R, or x2 > 0.
Lagrange point L3: At L3, m is on the Sun-Jupiter line on the opposite side
from Jupiter. If Jupiter were not present, the radius of the asteroid’s orbit would
be R. However, Jupiter adds a moderate gravitational force, so x3 > R.
 CENTRAL FORCE MOTION 169

10.14 Speed of S2 around Sgr A*

For a body in elliptic orbit about an attractor, the distance of closest approach has
been termed the periapse, and the farthest distance the apoapse.
The orbiting body’s fastest speed occurs at the periapse, as a consequence of the
Law of Equal Areas. Let A be the major axis.
r0 r0
r periapse = rapoapse =
1+ 1−
2r0 1
A = r periapse + rapoapse = =⇒ r0 = A(1 −  2 )
1− 2 2
Using Eq. (10.30), the fastest speed of the orbiting star S2 is given by
!
1 1
vmax = 2Cµ
2
−
r periapse A
1+ 1 2GMS gr A∗ 2(1 + )
! !
= 2GMS gr A∗ − = −1
r0 A A 1 − 2
2GMS gr A∗ 1 + 
!
=
A 1−
data:
G = 6.67 × 10−11 m3 · kg−1 · s−2  ≈ 0.87 A = 2.9 × 1014 m
MS gr A∗ = 4 × 106 MS un = 8 × 1036 kg
vmax ≈ 7300 km/s
which is approximately 250 times the speed of the Earth around the Sun.
With a similar calculation, the minimum speed vmin of S2 (at apoapse) is
2GMS gr A∗ 1 − 
!
vmin =
2
A 1+
vmin ≈ 500 km/s
also many times faster than the Earth.
170 CENTRAL FORCE MOTION

10.15 Sun-Earth mass ratio

From the statement of Kepler’s third law in Eq. (10.31),

π2 µ 3 π2 µ 3
T =
2
A = A
2C 2GmM
where m is the mass of the satellite and M is the mass of the attractor. For the cases
in this problem, where m  M, µ = m to good accuracy.
A3 2GM
=
T2 π2
Taking ratios for M = MS un and M = MEarth ,
(A3 /T 2 )S un MS un
=
(A /T )Earth MEarth
3 2

From Table 10.1,

A3
!
= 2.69 × 1010 km3 · s−2
T 2 S un
From the Earth satellite data in the problem,
A3
!
2
= 8.07 × 104 km3 · s−2
T Earth

MS un
= 3.33 × 105
MEarth