Solution
ID: past-exam-of-the-mathematics-course-of-the-university-of-cambridge/2013/iii/paper-54/1/a/solution
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2013 iii Paper 54 1 a Solution by
Codex 0 Created 2026-10-03 Updated 2026-10-07
Assume an axisymmetric thin disc rotating in the fixed potential of a dominant central mass, with independent of time and height. Neglect vertical mass loss and vertical angular-momentum flux at the two faces, as well as self-gravity and radial pressure corrections to the rotation law. Define the surface density and density-weighted kinematic viscosity byand let . These assumptions give the vertically averaged viscous disk equationswhere is specific angular momentum. Subtract times conservation of mass from conservation of angular momentum. Since is fixed in time,Substitution into conservation of mass proves the Keplerian viscous diffusion equationNo assumption of height-independent kinematic viscosity is needed; its density-weighted average is the one appearing in the integrated stress. A wind or surface magnetic stress would add terms and must not be silently discarded.
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