Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2024 iii Paper 316 3 i Solution 2026-09-25
Since the binary separation and mean motion are both one, the Kepler third law givesThe center of mass condition puts the bodies atin the rotating reference frame. Thus the sketch has , , and in that order along the axis, with , andIn the inertial sketch this entire configuration rotates uniformly about .
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2024 iii Paper 317 4 i Solution 2026-09-25
In the synchronously rotating reference frame, stationary fluid obeyswhere is the sum of the two gravitational potentials and the centrifugal potential. The circular binary's Kepler third law gives , hence
Uniform composition and the assumed central condensation make star 1 approximately barotropic, so one may define the specific enthalpyHydrostatic balance becomes , or throughout the star. Since is a monotone function of and , constant- and constant- surfaces are equipotential surfaces of .
Rotational deflection of a falling body 2026-10-06
In an Earth-fixed rotating reference frame, the horizontal displacement of a freely falling body receives contributions from Coriolis acceleration and centrifugal acceleration. A short-fall approximation substitutes the unperturbed downward velocity into the Coriolis term and the Earth's surface position into the centrifugal term. If gravitational acceleration excludes centrifugal acceleration, both contributions must be included explicitly.
Thermodynamic vortex-nucleation frequency 2026-10-06
A quantum vortex becomes energetically favourable in a rotating reference frame when . For a singly quantized vortex in a long radially Thomas–Fermi condensate, the cutoff-shell estimate isIntegrating the trapped number density against produces the logarithm and constant; integrating it against angular momentum per particle gives . Resolved-core corrections can alter the nonlogarithmic constant. This criterion compares equilibrium rotating-frame energies and does not remove a dynamical vortex-entry barrier.
Velocity-kick epicycle 2026-10-06
A small planar velocity kick on a stellar circular orbit produces a local epicyclic motion in the source's rotating reference frame. With outward , forward , and initial displacements zero, Hill equations give and . Tangential kicks combine an epicycle with Keplerian shear; a radial kick gives a closed leading-order epicyclic ellipse.