Solution

ID: past-exam-of-the-mathematics-course-of-the-university-of-cambridge/2021/iii/paper-316/3/v/solution

At periapsis the release velocity is tangential. A grain with feels no net stellar inverse-square force and therefore moves on the tangent line. A grain with retains an inward acceleration and bends toward the star; a grain with feels a net outward acceleration and bends away from it. At the common observation time, joining these positions in increasing gives the synchrone shown below. It starts near the low- orbital trajectory, passes through the force-free position, and extends outward through the repelled high- grains.
Figure 1.
Synchrones and syndynes for zero-speed dust release from a parabolic comet
. The left panel joins grains released together at pericentre with different radiation-pressure coefficients. The right panel joins grains of one coefficient released at different comet true anomalies.

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