MECHANICS

a) Neglecting friction and also the rotation of the Earth, how long does it take to get there? Take the gravitational acceleration and the radius of the Earth R = 6400 km. b) Suppose there is now friction proportional to the square of the velocity (but still ignoring the rotation of the Earth). What is the equation for the phase space trajectory? Introduce suitable symbols for the constant of proportionality and for the mass of the car, and also draw a sketch. c) We now consider the effects of rotation. Estimate the magnitude of the centrifugal and Coriolis forces relative to the gravitational force (ignore friction). Take New York and San Francisco to be of equal latitude (approximately 40 North).

1.11

String Oscillations (Moscow Phys-Tech)

The frequency of oscillation of a string depends on its length L, the force applied to its ends T, and the linear mass density Using dimensional analysis, find this dependence.

1.12

Hovering Helicopter (Moscow Phys-Tech)

A helicopter needs a minimum of a 100 hp engine to hover (1 hp = 746 W). Estimate the minimum power necessary to hover for the motor of a 10 times reduced model of this helicopter (assuming that it is made of the same materials).

1.13 Astronaut Tether (Moscow Phys-Tech, Michigan)

An astronaut of total mass 110 kg was doing an EVA (spacewalk, see Figure P.1.13) when his jetpack failed. He realized that his only connection to

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PROBLEMS

the spaceship was by the communication wire of length L = 100 m. It can support a tension of only 5 N before parting. Estimate if that is enough to keep him from drifting away from the spaceship. Assume that the height of the orbit is negligible compared to the Earth's radius (R = 6400 km). Assume also that the astronaut and the spaceship remain on a ray projecting from the Earths center with the astronaut further away from the Earth.

1.14

Spiral Orbit (MIT)

A particle moves in two dimensions under the influence of a central force determined by the potential Find the powers and which make it possible to achieve a spiral orbit of the form with a constant.

1.15

Central Force with Origin on Circle (MIT, Michigan State)

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 P.1.15). What is the force law?

1.16

Central Force Orbit (Princeton)

a) Find the central force which results in the following orbit for a particle:

b) A particle of mass is acted on by an attractive force whose potential is given by Find the total cross section for capture of the particle coming from infinity with an initial velocity

MECHANICS

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1.17

Dumbbell Satellite (Maryland, MIT, Michigan State)

Automatic stabilization of the orientation of orbiting satellites utilizes the torque from the Earths gravitational pull on a non-spherical satellite in a circular orbit of radius R. Consider a dumbbell-shaped satellite consisting of two point masses of mass connected by a massless rod of length much less than R where the rod lies in the plane of the orbit (see Figure P.1.17). The orientation of the satellite relative to the direction toward the Earth is measured by angle

a) Determine the value of for the stable orientation of the satellite. b) Show that the angular frequency of small-angle oscillations of the satellite about its stable orientation is times the orbital angular velocity of the satellite.

1.18

Yukawa Force Orbit (Stony Brook)

A particle of mass moves in a circle of radius R under the influence of a central attractive force

a) Determine the conditions on the constant such that the circular motion will be stable. b) Compute the frequency of small radial oscillations about this circular motion.