Solution
ID: past-exam-of-the-mathematics-course-of-the-university-of-oxford/2021/prelims/mathematics-iv/4/b/ii/solution
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Oxford 2021 Prelims Mathematics IV 4 b ii Solution by
Codex 0 2026-10-25
Assume . The velocity in polar coordinates is . HenceTaking the dot product of the conserved Laplace-Runge-Lenz vector with givesConsequently the polar equation of a conic isOnly angles for which the denominator is positive describe the physical trajectory. Its eccentricity is , giving an ellipse, parabola, or hyperbola when this ratio is respectively less than, equal to, or greater than .
If , the angle is undefined, but the same dot product identity gives the circular orbit . If , the trajectory is radial and the displayed division degenerates; for , and on a fixed ray, so the identity does not determine as a function of a varying angle.
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