Senior Section: Solution by Utkarsh Narayan M08305

It is interesting and purely coincidental that one of the real Physics Olympiad Question 2008 is very
similar to part (a) and (b) of this question. [Unlike Dr. Xavier, Physics Interest Group has not achieved
psychic ability yet]

dL  GMm 
1. = r × F = r × 3 r = 0
dt  r 
Hence, angular momentum is conserved.
2. Using conservation of angular momentum: let c be the distance from the origin to the sun.
L = mvi (a − c) = mv f (a + c)
a−c
v f = vi
a+c
Using conservation of energy:
1 2 GMm 1 2 GMm
mvi − = mv f −
2 a−c 2 a+c
2c 1  2a 2c 
GM = vi2  
(a − c)(a + c) 2  a + c a + c 
GM (a + c)
vi =
(a − c)a
Hence total energy is:
1 2 GMm 1 mGM (a + c) GMm − GMm
mvi − = − =
2 a − c 2 (a − c)a a−c 2a
3. Angular momentum is:
 GM (a + c) GM (a + c)(a − c) GM
L = mvi (a − c) = m(a − c) =m = mb
(a − c)a a a
Equation of Ellipse in polar form (with a sun at one origin):
a(1 − e 2 )
r= where e is the eccentricity.
1 + e cos(θ )
Using Kepler’s Second Law:
1 2 dθ L
r =
2 dt 2m
dθ L
r2 =
dt m
a 2 (1 − e 2 ) 2 dθ L
=
(1 + e cos(θ ))2 dt m
θ t
a 2 (1 − e 2 ) 2 L
∫0 (1 + e cos(θ ))2 dθ = ∫0 m dt
Using Taylor expansion [oh my oh my]:
θ t
L
∫a
2 2 2
( 2 2
)
(1 − e ) 1 − 2e cos θ + 3e cos θ dθ = ∫
m
dt
0 0

L
θ
  3e 2  3 
2 2 2
ma (1 − e )
t = ∫
0
(1 − 2 e cos θ )d θ = θ 
  2
+ 1 − 2e sin θ + e 2 sin( 2θ ) 
 4 
GM
ma 2 b
 3e 2  3 L a t=a
3/ 2
GM
θ  + 1 − 2e sin θ + e 2 sin( 2θ ) = 2
t= 4 3
t
 2  4 2 b
ma ( 2 ) 2 mb b
a

[Sorry we only figure out one method. You are encouraged to find another one!]