Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge / 2013 / ia / Paper 4 / 9B / a / i / Solution

The central force has no transverse component. Its angular equation is thereforeThus the specific angular momentum is the constantThe radial equation isSubstitute $\dot{\theta }=l/r^2$:Consequently the radial motion for $r>0$ is exactly a unit-mass one-dimensional motion in the effective potentialIts conserved energy is $\frac{1}{2}{\dot{r}}^2+V_{\mathrm{eff}}(r)$; the second term in the effective potential accounts for the angular kinetic energy.