Solution

ID: past-exam-of-the-probability-statistics-and-options-ii-course-of-the-university-of-oxford/2008/h/2/b/ii/solution

The coordinate is cyclic, so is conserved. Initially the spin is zero, hence throughout. The coordinate is also cyclic. After imposing this zero spin, its conserved momentum becomes . Initially and , so .
The equation for is
The quantity in parentheses is the vertical velocity of the centre of mass. Initially that velocity and its height are both zero: the initial rotation is horizontal and the vertex starts at rest at the reference height. Twice integrating gives
Independently, the frictionless vertical wire exerts only horizontal force. Gravity is therefore the only vertical external force on the body, and the centre of mass undergoes vertical free fall. This gives the same equation without the angular equations.

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