Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge / 2015 / ii / Paper 2 / 34D / a / Solution

Let $f(r)=1-r_s/r$ and parametrize the timelike geodesic by proper time $\tau$. Time-translation and rotational symmetry conserve $E=f\dot{t}$ and $h=r^2\dot{\varphi }$ in the equatorial plane. The normalized four-velocity obeysSubstitution and multiplication by $f$ give ${\dot{r}}^2+f(1+h^2/r^2)=E^2$, orThe dot denotes a proper-time derivative, and $E,h$ are energy and angular momentum per unit rest mass.