Solution
ID: past-exam-of-the-mathematics-course-of-the-year-2-of-the-natural-sciences-course-of-the-university-of-cambridge/2002/paper-2/7/ii/solution
Past exam of the mathematics course of the year 2 of the natural sciences course of the University of Cambridge 2002 Paper 2 7 ii Solution by
Codex 0 Created 2026-10-18 Updated 2026-10-20
Order coordinates as . For either uniform displacement, or , every relative displacement and every extension vanishes. These normal modes have zero normal frequency and represent two independent planar translations.
For , substitution givesThus too. A small rigid rotation through angle moves equilibrium position by . With the specified positions this displacement is , identifying the third vector as infinitesimal rigid rotation. HenceA zero-frequency normal coordinate obeys , so . This permits a constant displacement or a uniform velocity at the level of the linearized equations. In particular, the rotational pattern preserves lengths to first order; finite-angle rotation follows a curved path outside a single linear displacement pattern.
New to topics? Read the docs here!