Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Oxford / 2021 / Prelims / Mathematics IV / 5 / a

On the surface of revolution, a normal vector is proportional to $-H^{\prime }(r){\mathbf{e}}_r+{\mathbf{e}}_z$. Thus the normal force and gravity have no ${\mathbf{e}}_{\theta }$ component. The ${\mathbf{e}}_{\theta }$ component of Newton's second law, using the given linear drag force, isMultiplication by $r$ therefore givesThe printed target equation omits the factor $1/m$. The matching original PDF, page 5, gives both ${\mathbf{F}}_D=-\alpha \dot{\mathbf{r}}$ and $\dot{h}=-\alpha h$, so this is a source inconsistency. If its $\alpha$ in the target equation is intended to mean the drag coefficient per unit mass, put $\lambda =\alpha /m$ and write $\dot{h}=-\lambda h$. Equivalently, if the intended force was ${\mathbf{F}}_D=-m\alpha \dot{\mathbf{r}}$, the requested convention givesThese formulas determine $\dot{\theta }$ once $r(t)$ is known; they do not assume a constant radius.