Past exam of the physics B course of the University of Cambridge / 2019 / Paper 1

For two circular Kepler orbits about the same body, Kepler's third law gives $T^2/r^3=\text{constant}$. The reference radius is measured from Earth's centre:A geostationary orbit is prograde and equatorial, with one sidereal day as its orbital period. Using $T_g\simeq 1436\min$ and the supplied $T_1=109\min$,Using $24\mathrm{h}$ instead changes this estimate by less than one per cent. This is the orbital radius, not the altitude; the corresponding altitude is about $3.00\times 10^4\mathrm{km}$.

There is a numerical inconsistency in the source data. The quoted reference orbit implies $G{M}_E=4{\pi }^2{r}_1^3/T_1^2\simeq 2.56\times 10^{14}{\mathrm{m}}^3{\mathrm{s}}^{-2}$, appreciably below the measured terrestrial value, about $3.99\times 10^{14}{\mathrm{m}}^3{\mathrm{s}}^{-2}$. Using the latter instead gives the familiar geostationary orbit radius $4.22\times 10^4\mathrm{km}$. The boxed estimate consistently uses the period actually printed in the question.

The radial force is $F_r=-dU/dr=-3A{r}^2$. A nontrivial circular orbit therefore requires $A>0$, so that the force is inward. Balancing its magnitude against the required centripetal acceleration givesThusThis is the circular-orbit energy ratio in a power-law potential, $2K=r{U}^{\prime }(r)=sU$ for $U=A{r}^s$, with $s=3$. It uses the zero of potential energy specified by $U=A{r}^3$; adding a constant would change the ratio without changing the motion. For $A<0$, the force is outward and no such free circular orbit exists.

For linear elasticity of an isotropic material, the isotropic elastic modulus relation givesThe printed Young's modulus is $E=10^{-3}\mathrm{GPa}=10^6\mathrm{Pa}$, and the printed Poisson's ratio is $\nu =1.47$. Formal substitution givesWith compressive pressure positive, the linear volume response is $\Delta V/V=-p/B$. Thus a thirty per cent reduction formally requiresHere $1\mathrm{atm}=101325\mathrm{Pa}$. The negative pressure is a formal tensile load, not the requested positive isotropic compression.

The original PDF really prints $1.47$. It is incompatible with a stable ordinary isotropic elastic solid: positive bulk modulus and shear modulus require $-1<\nu <1/2$. Consequently there is no physically admissible positive-pressure answer with the stated constants. If $0.47$ was intended, the corresponding linear estimates would instead beThat is an explicit alternative, not a correction established by the source. A thirty per cent volume strain is also outside a controlled small-strain approximation; accurate rubber behaviour at that deformation needs a finite-strain constitutive law. The initial volume cancels because the specified change is a fractional one.

Closest approach. In the heavy-target approximation, a head-on alpha particle of charge $2e$ converts its initial kinetic energy to repulsive Coulomb potential energy at its turning point. The nuclear radius bound from a Coulomb turning point is thereforeThus the point-projectile interpretation of the radius bound isIt is an upper limit from Coulomb scattering, not a measurement of the actual nuclear radius. If “size” denotes diameter, the associated bound is twice this value. Including nuclear recoil, $E_{\mathrm{cm}}\simeq [207/(207+4)]E_{\alpha }$, increases the closest separation by about two per cent to $4.4\times 10^{-14}\mathrm{m}$.

Count-rate estimate and normalization. The graph has approximate slope $\Delta \ln S/\Delta \ln A\simeq 15/10=3/2$. It therefore supplies the empirical log-log plot relation $S\propto A^{3/2}$. Calibrating its normalization with the lead observation givesThe Rutherford differential cross-section at fixed beam energy and scattering angle instead has a $Z^2$ dependence per target nucleus. More generally, the target normalization in Rutherford scattering rates iswhere $\mathcal{N}$ is the target nuclei per unit area. If the foils have equal $\mathcal{N}$, the theoretical estimate is $19.7$, or about $20$ particles per minute, close to the graphical estimate at its rough level. Equal foil mass per area would instead give $37.8$ per minute because $\mathcal{N}\propto 1/A$.

The source does not specify that target normalization. Thus $23$ per minute is the estimate from its supplied graph; an exact rate prediction from Rutherford theory alone is underdetermined without comparable foil areal densities. The empirical $A^{3/2}$ slope and an exact equal-$\mathcal{N}$ $Z^2$ law should not be presented as identical assumptions.

For a reversible adiabatic process, an ideal gas obeys $T{V}^{\gamma -1}=\text{constant}$. A monatomic gas has heat capacity ratio $\gamma =5/3$. Taking the stated expansion factor to mean $V_f=9V_i$,This assumes the usual quasistatic isentropic process. Heat insulation alone does not determine the final temperature: an ideal-gas free expansion is also adiabatic but leaves the temperature unchanged. The numerical answer uses nine times the original volume, the conventional intended meaning of the source's “nine times larger”.

The original PDF places this complete question before B6 without a visible question number. It is included here under a descriptive heading.

Why images work. In the method of images, place fictitious image charges outside the region where the physical electric field is required. Choose them so that the combined electric potential satisfies the conductor boundary conditions. The Uniqueness of the Dirichlet problem then proves that this construction gives the physical exterior field. The images do not describe the actual surface-charge locations.

Two examples are a charge $q$ above a grounded conducting plane, represented by $-q$ at the mirror point, and the image charge for a grounded conducting sphere used below. In each case the image lies inside the excluded conductor and makes its surface an equipotential of the required value.

Potential of the two charges. By the law of cosines, the distances from the observation point to charges at $x_j$ are $s_j=(r^2+x_j^2-2r{x}_j\cos \theta {)}^{1/2}$. The superposition principle and Coulomb's law therefore give

The grounded sphere. Set $r=a$ and require $s_1=\alpha s_2$ at every polar angle. Matching the coefficients of $\cos \theta$ and the constant terms givesThe useful noncoincident solution isIndeed $s_1=(a/x_2)s_2$ on the sphere, so the two potential terms cancel there. A Gaussian surface enclosing the sphere but not the external charge measures the total image charge in the exterior representation. Thus the physical induced net charge is

An isolated neutral sphere. The grounded image would give nonzero net charge. Add a central image $q_0=+aq/x_2$ to cancel it. A central image changes the surface potential by a constant, preserving the equipotential condition, whereas an arbitrary off-centre image would generally spoil it. The image charges for a neutral conducting sphere giveThe potential is measured relative to zero at infinity for each finite $x_2$.

Fixed applied field and dipole moment. For positive $q$ on the positive $x$ axis, the applied central field is ${\mathbf{E}}_0=-q\hat{\mathbf{x}}/(4\pi {\epsilon }_0{x}_2^2)$. The central image contributes no electric dipole moment, soIts units are coulomb metres. Keeping $E_0$ fixed makes $q/x_2^2$ constant, so this induced moment is independent of the distance.

The distant-charge limit. As $x_2\to \infty$ with $q/x_2^2$ fixed, the applied field becomes uniform over any fixed neighbourhood of the sphere. The neutral pair of opposite images approaches a point dipole of the finite moment above. The external potential contains a growing spatial constant $q/(4\pi {\epsilon }_0{x}_2)$, so the infinity-referenced conductor potential does not have a finite limit. Subtracting this irrelevant constant gives the usual induced charge on a conducting sphere in a uniform electric field; the exterior potential becomesThis has zero potential on the sphere, but a uniform applied field cannot simultaneously have its potential vanish at spatial infinity.

Induction and its sign. The Maxwell-Faraday equation is $\nabla \times \mathbf{E}=-{\partial }_t\mathbf{B}$. For a fixed loop, Stokes theorem givesThis is Faraday's law of induction. The orientation of the surface normal and positive circulation are linked by the right-hand rule. The minus sign is Lenz's law: the induced current's linked flux opposes the imposed flux change, rather than reinforcing it.

The inductive current. Let the loop normal make angle $\theta$ with the applied field, with positive current defined by that normal. The external magnetic flux is ${\Phi }_{\mathrm{ext}}=A{B}_0\sin \omega t\cos \theta$. With negligible electrical resistance, the circuit equation is $L\dot{I}=-{\dot{\Phi }}_{\mathrm{ext}}$, so total linked flux $LI+{\Phi }_{\mathrm{ext}}$ is constant. For zero initial trapped flux,The printed result needs this initial-flux assumption; in general an additional constant current is allowed. The units are amperes because a weber divided by a henry is an ampere.

Current and forces at one instant. Take $B>0$ along $+x$ and $0<\theta <\pi /2$, so $I<0$ relative to the chosen normal. The loop magnetic dipole moment $\mathbf{\mu }=IA\mathbf{n}$ therefore has a component opposite the applied field. Each wire element experiences Lorentz force $d\mathbf{F}=Id\mathbf{\ell }\times \mathbf{B}$. Opposite sides have equal and opposite forces, giving zero net force in the uniform field but a nonzero couple.

The horizontal top and bottom wire segments also experience equal and opposite vertical forces. They cancel without adding torque about the vertical rotation axis; the displayed force pair supplies that torque.

Average torque. Since $\mathbf{\tau }=\mathbf{\mu }\times \mathbf{B}$, its generalized component for increasing $\theta$ is ${\tau }_{\theta }=-IAB\sin \theta$. Substitution givesand, using $⟨{\sin }^2\omega t⟩=1/2$,The orientation torque on a flux-conserving loop drives its normal away from the field for the stated initial angle. Its magnitude has units joules, or newton metres.

Free motion with large inertia. Write $J$ for the mechanical moment of inertia. If its orientation changes little during each field cycle, the slow equation is $J\ddot{\theta }=⟨{\tau }_{\theta }⟩$, with effective potentialThe stable orientation is $\theta =\pi /2$, where the loop plane contains the applied field. Released from rest between $0$ and $\pi /2$, the loop accelerates toward that orientation, overshoots and librates around it. In the leading averaged, undamped model its turning angles are ${\theta }_i$ and $\pi -{\theta }_i$. It does not settle without a dissipative mechanism. For small librations the squared angular frequency is $A^2{B}_0^2/(2LJ)$.

Negligible inductance and finite resistance. Now the current is proportional to the induced electromotive force, not to the flux. Including slow rotation,The rotational damping of a resistive loop in an oscillating field follows fromAt fixed orientation, the first term alternates at $2\omega$ and has zero mean. The loop can therefore rock slightly, but there is no leading mean aligning torque like that in the inductive case. Slow rotation giveswhich opposes motion and produces Joule heating. Initial-phase transients can initiate motion, and the instantaneous torque is not zero. This description retains the large-inertia, slow-motion approximation; it does not assert an exact stationary solution at every starting angle.

The integral field equation. The Ampere-Maxwell law is $\nabla \times \mathbf{H}=\mathbf{J}+{\partial }_t\mathbf{D}$. Apply Stokes theorem to any fixed oriented surface bounded by the chosen contour:The added displacement current is required for compatibility with electric charge conservation. Taking a divergence and using $\nabla \cdot \mathbf{D}={\rho }_f$ gives $\nabla \cdot \mathbf{J}+{\partial }_t{\rho }_f=0$.

Field geometry. Choose the upper plate positive and let $z$ increase upward. In the long-plate, slow-discharge approximation, $\mathbf{E}=-(V/d)\hat{\mathbf{z}}$. Conventional wire current runs downward from the positive plate. The magnetic field intensity circulates clockwise as viewed from above. The Poynting vector $\mathbf{S}=\mathbf{E}\times \mathbf{H}$ points radially toward the resistive wire.

Wire and displacement currents. The capacitance and discharge law areBecause $V$ decreases, ${\partial }_t\mathbf{D}$ points upward, opposing the downward wire current. Through a disk of radius $r$ between the plates its magnitude isThe effective downward current enclosed by the circular contour is therefore $I-I_D(r)$. The Ampere-Maxwell law givesThis is the magnitude; with the stated coordinates, $\mathbf{H}=-H\hat{\mathbf{\varphi }}$. The factor $1-r^2/a^2$ expresses cancellation between conduction and displacement currents. The approximation requires distances outside the thin wire and away from detailed electrode-edge fields.

Energy flux and power. Since $\hat{\mathbf{z}}\times \hat{\mathbf{\varphi }}=-\hat{\mathbf{r}}$,Its units are watts per square metre. Integrating over the cylinder's side area $2\pi rd$, the signed outward power is negative:There is no leading axial flux through the cylinder's ends in this ideal field geometry.

Where the energy goes. The Poynting flux in a centrally discharged parallel-plate capacitor carries field energy through the dielectric space into the resistor, where it becomes Joule heating at rate $V^2/R$. Inside radius $r$ the stored electric energy isHenceThe resistor receives the inward flux from outside that cylinder plus the field energy released inside it. As $r$ approaches the wire radius, essentially all its power arrives as radial electromagnetic flux. Over the whole capacitor, $-d(C{V}^2/2)/dt=V^2/R$. The Poynting theorem thus accounts for the complete discharge without treating energy as transported only along the conducting wire. High resistance makes the quasistatic electric-field approximation and neglect of changing magnetic energy consistent.

Two interface effects. For $n_2<n_1$, Snell's law gives $\sin {\theta }_t=(n_1/n_2)\sin {\theta }_i$. If $\sin {\theta }_i>n_2/n_1$, no propagating transmitted ray exists: there is total internal reflection, with an evanescent wave on the far side. An optical fibre uses this to guide light.

For ordinary isotropic nonmagnetic media, $\tan {\theta }_i=n_2/n_1$ is the Brewster angle. The reflected p-polarized component, whose electric field lies in the incidence plane, vanishes; the reflected s-polarized component generally remains. Reflection polarizers and polarized glare reduction exploit this selectivity.

The plasma response. Neglect collisions, thermal-pressure corrections and background magnetic field. Let the wave vary as $e^{-i\omega t}$. An electron displacement obeysIts dipole moment is $-e{\mathbf{x}}_e$, so the electron electric polarization is ${\mathbf{P}}_e=-n{e}^2\mathbf{E}/(m_e{\omega }^2)$. Ions of charge $Ze$ give a further contribution ${\mathbf{P}}_i=-nZ{e}^2\mathbf{E}/(m_i{\omega }^2)$, smaller by $Z{m}_e/m_i$. Thus heavy ions move negligibly at these electron-wave frequencies. Using $\mathbf{D}={\epsilon }_0\mathbf{E}+\mathbf{P}$ gives the cold collisionless plasma dielectric response,For this model ${\mu }_r\simeq 1$, so $n_{\mathrm{refr}}^2={\epsilon }_r$ and $c^2{k}^2={\omega }^2-{\omega }_p^2$ for the transverse electromagnetic wave.

The vertical cutoff and density. Below the plasma frequency, the squared refractive index is negative: the wave is an evanescent wave instead of propagating through a layer hundreds of kilometres thick. The observed $5\mathrm{MHz}$ cutoff therefore identifies $f_p=5.0\times 10^6\mathrm{Hz}$, with ${\omega }_p=2\pi f_p$. ConsequentlyThis uses ${\epsilon }_0=8.854\times 10^{-12}\mathrm{F}{\mathrm{m}}^{-1}$, $m_e=9.109\times 10^{-31}\mathrm{kg}$ and $e=1.602\times 10^{-19}\mathrm{C}$. The density is also $3.10\times 10^5\mathrm{c}{\mathrm{m}}^{-3}$.

The transmission elevation. At $f=8\mathrm{MHz}$, the ionosphere has refractive indexIf $\alpha$ is elevation above horizontal, incidence at the layer is ${\theta }_i=\pi /2-\alpha$. Avoiding total internal reflection requires $\sin {\theta }_i=\cos \alpha <n_i$. The limiting elevation is thereforeStrictly, it must point above this limiting angle to carry upward power through the finite layer: at equality the transmitted wave is grazing. With a suitable satellite position, the stated orbital altitude imposes no additional angular constraint in this flat-layer approximation.

Polarization-selective ground reflection. The ray's incidence plane is vertical. Horizontal electric polarization is s polarization; the other transverse polarization lies in the vertical incidence plane and is p polarization. Reflection of s but not p identifies the Brewster angle, not total internal reflection, which would reflect both in this lossless isotropic model. ThusFor a reflecting height $h=200\mathrm{km}$, the horizontal range consists of two equal legs. The Brewster reflection from an ionospheric interface givesAt this angle ${\theta }_B$ is below the critical incidence angle, so a transmitted ray also exists; the detected horizontal component is an ordinary partial reflection. The s-polarized reflected power fraction is approximately $[(1-n_i^2)/(1+n_i^2){]}^2\simeq 0.059$, whereas the ideal p-polarized reflected fraction is zero. These results use the question's sharp planar interface model and exclude upper-interface reflections.

The dynamical method. In Lagrangian mechanics, choose independent generalized coordinates $q_j$ consistent with the constraints, form the Lagrangian $\mathcal{L}=T-V$, and solve the Euler-Lagrange equations,This form applies to a Newtonian system with ideal constraints, so constraint forces do no allowed virtual work, and with the remaining forces derivable from the stated potential. Smooth holonomic constraints can be built into the coordinates. Additional nonconservative generalized forces would appear on the right. Prescribed shaft rotation is a driven constraint; its constant $\Omega$ is a parameter, not a conserved angular momentum.

Energy of the two balls. The diagram labels each ball $m/2$, so their combined mass is $m$. It also shows $\theta$ between an arm and the downward vertical, rather than the full angle between the arms. Each ball has horizontal radius $l\sin \theta$, vertical coordinate $-l\cos \theta$, and squared speed $l^2{\dot{\theta }}^2+l^2{\Omega }^2{\sin }^2\theta$. ThusandThe massless connecting rods and sliding collar enforce the geometry but contribute no energy.

Effective potential. Define ${\omega }_0^2=g/l$. At fixed $\Omega$,This effective potential determines the reduced $\theta$ dynamics. Its conserved effective energy is not the full lab-frame mechanical energy: the shaft drive can exchange work and angular momentum with the balls.

The change of stability. Near $\theta =0$,For $|\Omega |<{\omega }_0$, the downward state is a minimum. At $|\Omega |={\omega }_0$, its quadratic stiffness vanishes but the quartic coefficient is $+{\omega }_0^2/8$. Above that speed, the downward state becomes a maximum and stable nonzero openings appear. This is the gravity-restored centrifugal governor bifurcation.

The physical opening is nonnegative; the two minima in the signed extension represent opposite transverse displacements. The stable opening increases continuously from zero toward a right angle as $|\Omega |$ grows. The apparatus is frictionless in the model, so a displaced system oscillates rather than automatically settling at the equilibrium shown by the minima.

Equilibria. Differentiation givesHence the downward equilibrium is $\theta =0$, and the open equilibria satisfyThe signed extension includes the negative of this angle. Formally $\theta =\pi$ is also stationary, but it is an unstable inverted configuration and lies outside the usual opening range of the mechanism.

Small oscillations. Write $\theta ={\theta }_{\mathrm{eq}}+\eta$. The linear equation is $\ddot{\eta }+{\nu }^2\eta =0$, whereAt the downward state and at a nonzero open state, respectively,These are angular frequencies in ${\mathrm{s}}^{-1}$; ordinary frequencies are $\nu /(2\pi )$. Negative ${\nu }^2$ indicates exponential instability rather than an oscillation. At $\theta =\pi$, ${\nu }^2=-{\omega }_0^2-{\Omega }^2<0$. At the critical speed, the linear frequency is zero and the positive quartic potential gives amplitude-dependent nonlinear restoring motion.

Classification of attractive inverse-square orbits. Write the potential energy as $U=-\kappa /r$, with $\kappa =GMm>0$ and zero at infinity. For nonzero angular momentum $J$, the Kepler orbit is a conic,Negative total orbital energy gives an elliptic orbit, $0\le e<1$. Its special case $e=0$ is the circular Kepler orbit, at the minimum energy permitted for that $J$, $E=-m{\kappa }^2/(2J^2)$. Zero energy gives a parabolic Kepler orbit, $e=1$, and positive energy a hyperbolic Kepler orbit, $e>1$. For $J=0$, the motion is radial: these are degenerate limiting trajectories and may strike the centre or the finite planetary surface.

The scattering geometry. The impact parameter $b$ is the perpendicular offset of the undeflected incoming asymptote from the centre, not the actual periapsis radius $r_{\min }$. Gravity bends the incoming path toward the planet.

The grazing threshold. At infinity, conservation of energy and angular momentum give $E=m{v}_{\infty }^2/2$ and $J=mb{v}_{\infty }$. At closest approach the radial speed is zero, so the velocity is tangential andEliminating $v_p$ givesThis increases monotonically with $r_{\min }>0$. Setting $r_{\min }=R$ gives the grazing impact parameter in gravitational focusing,Here $v_{\mathrm{esc}}=\sqrt{2GM/R}$ is the surface escape speed. The expression has units of length. Equality is the tangency limit; a strictly noncolliding trajectory requires $b>b_{\min }$. At high speed, $b_{\min }\to R$, while at low speed $b_{\min }\sim \sqrt{2GMR}/v_{\infty }$. Thus gravitational focusing enlarges the collision cross-section to $\pi b_{\min }^2$.

Deflection angle. For this hyperbola,The asymptotes occur at $\cos {\varphi }_{\infty }=-1/e$. The change of velocity direction is $\chi =2{\varphi }_{\infty }-\pi$, giving $\sin (\chi /2)=1/e$. Hence the gravitational scattering angle satisfiesFor the grazing trajectory this isIt is the attractive counterpart of the Rutherford impact-parameter relation; the sign of the transverse bending changes, but the positive deflection magnitude has this same form.

Range of angles. Along the grazing family, varying $v_{\infty }>0$ givesThe limits are $\chi \to 0$ as $v_{\infty }\to \infty$ and $\chi \to \pi$ as $v_{\infty }\to 0^{+}$. Neither endpoint is reached at finite positive speed. The low-speed limiting orbit still has a finite periapsis, but an increasingly distant incoming asymptote.

Modes, stability and symmetry. A normal mode of the linearized system has a fixed displacement pattern multiplied by one temporal oscillation. For $n$ independent generalized coordinates, a conservative small-disturbance system hasWhen the mass matrix $\mathsf{M}$ is positive definite and the stiffness $\mathsf{K}$ is a symmetric matrix, the generalized eigenvalue problem for small oscillations has $n$ independent mode directions, counting degeneracy. Positive ${\omega }^2$ gives stable oscillation, negative ${\omega }^2$ an exponentially growing and decaying pair, and zero ${\omega }^2$ a neutral direction whose nonlinear stability needs further analysis. An arbitrary linear motion is a superposition of these modes.

If a symmetry preserves both kinetic and potential energies, it maps modes to modes of the same frequency. Mode patterns can be classified by that symmetry, for example reflection-even and reflection-odd patterns. Degenerate eigenspaces admit different bases, so a mode shape need not be uniquely selected inside such a subspace.

Two pendulums free to swing in any direction. Let $x_j$ be the small horizontal displacement along the line joining the supports and $y_j$ the perpendicular horizontal displacement. Put ${\omega }_0^2=g/L$ and $\kappa =k/m$. To quadratic order,The spring is unstretched at equilibrium. Its first-order length change is only $x_2-x_1$; a transverse difference changes its length at second order and produces no quadratic transverse restoring energy. Consequently the four modes areThis is the transverse degeneracy of unstretched spring-coupled pendulums: ${\omega }_0$ has a three-dimensional eigenspace. Independent transverse motions form an equally valid basis for two of those directions. A pre-tensioned spring would change the transverse result.

The open three-pendulum chain. Restrict motion to the vertical plane containing the supports, with horizontal coordinates $x_1,x_2,x_3$. There are springs between neighbours and no wall springs. The equations areThe spring matrix has eigenvalues $0,1,3$, with respective eigenvectors $(1,1,1)$, $(1,0,-1)$ and $(1,-2,1)$. The normal modes of three freely ended coupled pendulums are thereforeThe lowest mode stretches neither spring. In the middle mode the outer masses oppose each other and the central mass is stationary. The highest mode has the central mass moving oppositely with twice the outer amplitude. Reflection about the middle support makes the first and last patterns even and the middle pattern odd.

An even ring. For a large ring, use tangential displacement $x_j$ and periodic indexing $x_{j+N}=x_j$. The locally straight nearest-neighbour equations areCyclic translation symmetry selects Fourier modes $x_j\propto e^{i(qj-\omega t)}$, with $q=2\pi s/N$. HenceFor even $N$, the lowest pattern has equal tangential displacements, while the highest alternates signs around the ring. Thus

These are the even and odd pendulum-ring modes. For exact finite regular-polygon geometry with straight chord springs, the first-order spring extension includes a factor $\cos (\pi /N)$, so its squared contribution is multiplied by ${\cos }^2(\pi /N)$. That correction tends to one in the requested large-$N$ limit.

An odd ring. Perfect alternation cannot close after an odd number of steps. The two highest wave indices are instead $s=(N-1)/2$ and $(N+1)/2$. They give a degenerate pair, represented by real sine and cosine standing patterns, withThe maximum is slightly below the even-ring limiting value, and the sign pattern must contain a gradual phase mismatch rather than exact alternation. The uniform lowest mode is unchanged, and there are still $N$ independent tangential mode directions.

Flow visualization and the idealization. A streamline is everywhere tangent to the instantaneous velocity field at one fixed time. A streakline is the locus, at one observation time, of particles that previously passed through a specified injection point. A marked particle's own trajectory is a pathline. These coincide geometrically in steady flow, but need not do so in an unsteady draining flow.

The intended ideal liquid is approximately incompressible and inviscid: viscosity and associated shear stresses are negligible on the scales and times being considered, the Mach number is small, and the density is effectively constant. This does not require zero vorticity; the initially rotating state is already a counterexample. It also does not justify ignoring viscosity in an arbitrarily thin boundary layer or at a real drain.

Spiralling flow and angular momentum. In an axisymmetric inviscid flow, pressure and gravity exert no torque about the vertical axis. A parcel therefore conserves axial specific angular momentum,The late, shallow remnant in the intended draining picture is supplied by parcels initially near the outer rim, so $r_0\simeq R$. The slow-drain angular-momentum amplification then givesThe assumption about the parcels' origin is necessary: torque conservation by itself does not assign $r_0=R$ to every parcel at every time.

A continuous dye feed near the outer free surface produces inward spirals that wind increasingly rapidly near the drain. The figure uses a late quasisteady model, $u_r=-D/r$ and $u_{\varphi }=C/r$ with positive constants $D,C$, giving $\varphi ={\varphi }_0-(C/D)\ln (r/r_0)$. Its streaklines and streamlines approximately coincide over an observation interval short compared with the overall draining time. Strictly, individually marked particles at the initial surface trace pathlines, not a continuously injected streakline.

The free-surface depression. Let $z=H(r)$ be the surface. Slow radial draining makes radial inertial corrections small compared with the azimuthal centripetal acceleration. The radial Euler equation and vertical hydrostatic equilibrium giveThus $g{H}^{\prime }(r)=u_{\varphi }^2/r=C^2/r^3$, with $C={\omega }_0{R}^2$. Integrating from $r$ to the rim givesFor $r\ll R$ this becomesThe surface rises outward because the inward pressure gradient force must sustain the circular motion. The dimensions are metres, and the $1/r^2$ profile is not valid inside the finite drain or vortex core.

The terrestrial estimate. Use the vertical component of Earth's rotation as the ideal initial angular speed, ${\omega }_0\simeq {\Omega }_E\sin \lambda$. At Cambridge, taking $\lambda \simeq 52.2^{\circ }$ and ${\Omega }_E=7.292\times 10^{-5}{\mathrm{s}}^{-1}$, this gives ${\omega }_0\simeq 5.76\times 10^{-5}{\mathrm{s}}^{-1}$. Hence, for $R=1\mathrm{m}$, $r=0.01\mathrm{m}$ and $g=9.81\mathrm{m}{\mathrm{s}}^{-2}$,Taking the whole terrestrial angular speed rather than its local vertical projection would give about $2.7\mu \mathrm{m}$. The Cambridge estimate uses the projection appropriate to the vertical vortex. This very small head assumes terrestrial rotation supplies the only initial swirl; imposed residual rotation would change it quadratically.

Curl of the azimuthal velocity. For axisymmetric $u_{\varphi }=r\omega (r)$ with no vertical dependence, the rotational part of the vorticity is vertical:The ideal quasisteady radial sink has no curl outside its core. The source's symbol $\Omega$ denotes this vertical vorticity component, not the fluid's angular velocity. In general its magnitude is the absolute value of the bracket.

The two limiting states. For initial uniform rotation, $\omega ={\omega }_0$, whereas the late approximation has $\omega =C/r^2$. ThereforeThe late flow can have large angular velocity and nonzero circulation while being locally irrotational. The drain core is excluded from the domain of the $1/r$ velocity field.

What is actually conserved. Inviscid does not mean that each parcel's vorticity magnitude is fixed in three dimensions. For an incompressible barotropic liquid with conservative body forces, the vorticity equation isVertical compression of a material column changes its vorticity through vortex stretching, even while its volume is conserved by horizontal expansion. In the columnar shallow-layer limit, vorticity dilution in a shallow draining layer givesThus a remnant much shallower than its original column can have much smaller vertical vorticity. At finite depth there is generally a residual value; the exactly irrotational late profile is a leading limiting approximation, not an exact parcelwise conversion of nonzero vorticity to zero in finite time.

Kelvin's circulation theorem conserves circulation around a material loop, not around a fixed spatial circle. A loop whose original radius is near $R$ has circulation about $2\pi {\omega }_0{R}^2$, consistent with the late $u_{\varphi }=C/r$ field. Fluid also leaves through the drain, so the remaining tank contents are not a fixed material system. If the calculation is expressed explicitly in the Earth-fixed rotating frame, the corresponding shallow-water potential vorticity is $(\zeta +f)/H$, with $f=2{\Omega }_E\sin \lambda$; the conserved quantity involves absolute vorticity.