Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Oxford / 2015 / Prelims / Mathematics IV / 2 / a / Solution

By Newton's second law, the central force obeysDifferentiating the cross product givessince the acceleration is parallel to $\mathbf{r}$. Hence $\mathbf{n}=\mathbf{n}(0)$ is constant. Since $\mathbf{r}\cdot \mathbf{n}=0$, the entire motion lies in the fixed plane through the origin with nonzero normal vector $\mathbf{n}(0)$.

Choose polar coordinates in that plane, orienting $\theta$ so that its positive normal vector points along $\mathbf{n}(0)$. The velocity isThereforeMultiplication by $m$ identifies this with conservation of angular momentum; geometrically, the swept area per unit time is $h/2$.

Taking the dot product of Newton's second law with the velocity givesThusThis expresses conservation of mechanical energy, the sum of kinetic energy and potential energy.

Finally, for $u=1/r$ and a prime denoting a derivative with respect to $\theta$, the chain rule givesSubstitution into the conserved energy yields