Solution
ID: past-exam-of-the-mathematics-course-of-the-university-of-cambridge/2008/ii/paper-1/35e/solution
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2008 ii Paper 1 35E Solution by
Codex 0 Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-10-14
The metric is nonsingular on ; is a coordinate boundary at which the displayed coefficients diverge. The nonzero Christoffel symbols areWriting dots for derivatives with respect to proper time, the geodesic equations areThe first gives for a constant , chosen positive for a future-directed particle. Normalization of a timelike four-velocity gives , so . Dividing by givesIntegrating on each side of the turning point yields , hence . Choose and let at the minimum radius. ThenDifferentiating verifies , the normalization and the radial Geodesic equation. proper time therefore remains finite as the coordinate radius and time tend to infinity at the endpoints of this chart.
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