Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2002 ia Paper 4 3E Solution Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-10-14
Put and . Multiplying the equation by givesso its first integral isThese level curves give the positive phase plane for the avalanche front with linear mass entrainment. For , the curve starts at , and rises. For , it diverges as , has a minimum at , and then rises. The curve is . Forward-time arrows have increasing ; at a zero-velocity endpoint the equation gives .
Avalanche phase trajectories approaching the linear-entrainment asymptote
. Details. Every forward-moving trajectory has : after it has entered , a bounded limiting would force a zero of the displayed positive-branch speed ahead of it, but its only possible zero is the lower endpoint. For large ,Expanding the equation as and substituting the first integral givesThus both the asymptotic phase plane trajectory and the limiting acceleration are independent of the initial data.
