Past exam of the symmetry and relativity course of the University of Oxford 2015 2 c iii Solution 2026-10-25
Let the fixed direction of motion be the unit vector and decompose . In ii the two parallel contributions cancel, whereas the transverse equation isFor the stated speed law, , hence . Since the particle is initially at rest, , andThe corresponding spin four-vector has components , , and . Its squared norm is therefore , independent of time. The transverse decay of the source's laboratory three-vector is a boost-normalization effect, not a loss of proper angular momentum or a torque.
For a real increasing speed take and . The prescribed profile has a singular initial acceleration: near zero. The differential transport calculation applies for and the solution has the continuous initial limit displayed above. This trajectory should not be silently described as motion at constant proper acceleration.