Solution

ID: past-exam-of-the-theoretical-physics-i-course-of-the-university-of-cambridge/2015/paper-1/4/c/solution

An infinitesimal rotation about gives and . Both the squared transverse velocity and squared transverse slope are rotational invariants. Noether's theorem therefore gives
Differentiating and using the two wave equations gives
Consequently is the angular momentum about the equilibrium string axis, conserved when the net endpoint torque flux vanishes. For a finite segment, . It is not momentum associated with translating the coordinate ; its symmetry rotates the two physical transverse displacement components into one another.

New to topics? Read the docs here!