Solution

ID: past-exam-of-the-mathematics-course-of-the-university-of-cambridge/2016/iii/paper-311/3/b/ii/solution

For a regular causal curve, orient its tangent toward the future; reversing its parametrization does not change . Since , use as parameter and set . The causal inequality gives
Both transverse terms are nonnegative in the exterior, so necessarily
Because and the discriminant is , this is equivalent to
Equality requires and a null tangent. The limiting vectors are the two local azimuthal null directions; a curve following one at constant radius need not be a null geodesic. For a curve with radial or polar motion these angular bounds are necessary, while the full causal inequality can impose stricter bounds.

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