Solution
ID: past-exam-of-the-mathematics-course-of-the-university-of-oxford/2017/prelims/mathematics-iv/6/c/solution
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Oxford 2017 Prelims Mathematics IV 6 c Solution by
Codex 0 2026-10-25
Put . The zero value of the first integral in b givesAt the endpoint , this gives . The absolute speed includes radial, azimuthal and vertical components. Since there,Hence the limiting exit speed isThere is a small initial condition qualification in the wording. The exact initial conditions give the stationary solution forever, by Picard-Lindelöf theorem. The displayed zero-first integral moving branch instead approaches that unstable equilibrium as .
For a precise small disturbance, release the bead with zero relative velocity at . Its first integral is , givingThe bead initially accelerates outward and reaches the end. Letting recovers exactly the stated exit speed. The conserved is a Jacobi integral associated with the imposed rotation; ordinary mechanical energy need not be conserved because the apparatus driving the wire can do work.
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