Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2026 iii Paper 316 1 a Solution Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-09-24
The force is central force, so its torque about the star vanishes. The specific angular momentum is therefore constant:Taking the scalar product of with givesThus conservation of energy gives the second constant
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2026 iii Paper 316 1 b Solution Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-09-24
Put . Since , the radial equation becomes the Binet equationwhere primes denote derivatives with respect to the polar angle. Choosing the angular origin at periapsis givesWriting the semi-latus rectum as yields the Kepler orbitHence the specific angular momentum and specific orbital energy are
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2026 iii Paper 316 1 e Solution Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-09-24
The kick changes the tangential velocity by . With and , the new specific angular momentum isEvery Kepler orbit satisfies . Combining this identity with the value of found in part (d) giveswhere is the explicit function of in part (d).
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2026 iii Paper 316 2 a Solution Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-09-24
Here is the planet's semi-major axis, while are the particle's semi-major axis, orbital eccentricity, and orbital inclination relative to the planet's plane. The formula assumes the circular restricted three-body problem: the planet-to-star mass ratio is small, the particle has negligible mass, and its motion is approximately heliocentric and Keplerian away from brief encounters. The planet's own orbit is circular.
The Jacobi constant is exactly conserved in that ideal rotating problem. Expressing it in heliocentric orbital elements away from the planet gives the approximately conserved Tisserand parameterThe first term measures the particle's normalized binding energy. The second is twice the component of its specific angular momentum normal to the planet's plane, normalized by .
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2026 iii Paper 321 1 a Solution Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-09-24
Define the surface density of a disk and outward radial mass flux byVertical integration of mass conservation eliminates the surface term because , and axisymmetry eliminates the azimuthal derivative. Hence
For , the specific angular momentum is . Multiply the azimuthal momentum equation by , integrate vertically and azimuthally, and define the viscous torque in an accretion diskSubtracting times the mass equation from the integrated angular-momentum equation givesFor an axisymmetric circular flow, . Ifthen
Combining the two conservation laws givesThe first term is the local rate of change of angular momentum per radial interval, is outward advective angular-momentum flux, and is outward stress-carried angular-momentum flux.
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2026 iii Paper 321 1 b ii Solution Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-09-24
At the inner edge, the imposed torque isThereforeThe angular-momentum conservation law says that is constant. The magnetic process supplies angular momentum at the inner boundary; viscous stress passes it outward, and the mass leaving at carries the injected angular momentum together with the angular momentum that entered with the mass. A larger torque must therefore move the removal radius outward so that each unit mass can carry more specific angular momentum.