Past exam of the physics B course of the University of Cambridge 2015 Paper 2 Section A A3 Solution 2026-10-20
Interpret the two radial turning values as and ; the printed maximum/minimum order is reversed. The potential is . At either turning point,Equating these two energies gives . A radial impulse changes the radial velocity and energy but exerts no torque about the centre, so it preserves . For radial-impulse circularization of a harmonic central orbit, the circular orbit satisfies . HenceThe original orbit crosses this radius. Cancelling its radial velocity there leaves the tangential speed required for the circular orbit; the impulse is not applied at an original radial turning point.
