02 Newtonian Mechanics Advanced

Newtonian Mechanics:
ide
Advanced
gu Sk Jahiruddin*
*Assistant Professor
ics
Sister Nibedita Govt. College, Kolkata
Author was the topper of IIT Bombay M.Sc Physics 2009-2011 batch
He ranked 007 in IIT JAM 2009 and 008 (JRF) in CSIR NET June 2011
ys
He has been teaching CSIR NET aspirants since 2012

Ph
1
©Sk Jahiruddin, 2020 Newtonian Mechanics: Advanced
Contents
1 Conservation of energy in three dimension 3
ide
1.1 Conservative force: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
2 Collision in 2D in Center of Mass frame 18
2.1
2.2
gu
Formulation of the problem . . . . . . . . . .
Elastic scattering when target particle at rest

18
23
ics
2.2.1 Kinetic energies in the Lab and COM
frame . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
ys
Ph
[email protected] 2 Physicsguide
1 Conservation of energy in three

dimension
ide
The conservation of energy can be easily extended to three
dimension. Potential energy in three dimension becomes de-
pendent on the distance from the origin (radius vector) and
it is the integration of forces with the radius vector from a
gu
reference point r0 .
U (r) ≡ −
Z r
r0
F (r0 ) · dr0 (1.1)
ics
Force and displacement may not be in the same direction as
shown in the figure below. In two dimension case this becomes
F r cos θ. In three dimension we need to perform line integral.
ys
The integration of force give the difference of kinetic en-

Ph
ergy as before.
dv
F=m
Z b Z bdt
dv
ide
F · dr = m · dr
a dt
Za b
dv
= m · vdt (1.2)
a dt
Z b
m d 2
= v dt
gu 1
2
a 2 dt
1
= mvb2 − mva2
2
ics
1.1 Conservative force:
A force F acting on a particle is conservative if and only if it
satisfies two conditions: (i) F depends only on the particle’s
position r (and not on the velocity v, or the time t, or any
ys
other variable ; that is, F = F(r) (ii) For any two points 1 and
2 , the work W (1 → 2) done by F is the same for all paths
between 1 and 2 A force F(r) to be conservative a necessary
Ph
and sufficient condition is to have the curl of the force to be

zero.
∇×F=0 (1.3)
Conservative force means the work done is path independent.
We will discuss these point in details. Let us first write the
force and potential energy relation in three dimension. Let us
consider a particle acted on by a conservative force F(r), with

corresponding potential energy U (r), and examine the work
done by F(r) in a small displacement from r to r + dr. We
can evaluate this work in two ways. On the one hand, it is,
ide
by definition,
W (r → r + dr) = F(r) · dr
(1.4)
= Fx dx + Fy dy + Fz dz
gu
for any small displacement dr with components (dx, dy, dz).
On the other hand, we have seen that the work W (r → r+dr)
is the same as (minus) the change in PE in the displacement:
W (r → r + dr) = −dU = −[U (r + dr) − U (r)]
ics
= −[U (x + dx, y + dy, z + dz) − U (x, y, z)]
(1.5)
We know from the definition of derivative
ys
dU = U (x + dx, y + dy, z + dz) − U (x, y, z)

∂U ∂U ∂U (1.6)
= dx + dy + dz
∂x ∂y ∂z
Ph
So the work done is

∂U ∂U ∂U
W (r → r + dr) = − dx + dy + dz (1.7)
∂x ∂y ∂z
The two expression of work in equation (1.4) and (1.7) are
equivalent. So we get
∂U ∂U ∂U
Fx = − , Fy = − , Fz = − (1.8)
∂x ∂y ∂z
That is, F is the vector whose three components are minus

the three partial derivatives of U with respect to x, y, and z.
A slightly more compact way to write this result is this:
ide
∂U ∂U ∂U
F = −x̂ − ŷ − ẑ (1.9)
∂x ∂y ∂z
From vector calculus we know that the gradient of a scalar
function is defined as
gu ∇f = x̂
∂f
∂x
+ ŷ
∂f
∂y
+ ẑ
∂f
∂z
So the force is the gradient of the potential with a negative
sign
(1.10)
ics
F = −∇U (1.11)
This important relation gives us the force F in terms of deriva-
tives of U, just as the definition (1.1) gave U as an integral
ys
of F. When a force F can be expressed in the form (4.33),

we say that F is derivable from a potential energy. Thus, we
have shown that any conservative force is derivable from a
Ph
potential energy.
Example 1.1: The potential energy of a certain particle
is U = Axy 2 +B sin Cz, where A, B and C are constants.
What is the corresponding force?
Solution: To find F we have only to evaluate the three

partial derivatives. In doing this, you must remember that
∂U/∂x is found by differentiating with respect to x, treating

y and z as constant, and so on. Thus ∂U/∂x = Ay 2 , and so
on, and the final result is
ide
F = − x̂Ay 2 + ŷ2Axy + ẑBC cos Cz

Now we prove the statements about the conservative force

stated before. Suppose a force is conservative which essen-
tially means that the work done to move one point to another
gu
point is path independent. Look at the figure below. We do
work to move particle from point A to B. Path I is the path
ACB, Path II is the path ADF B. The work done is same for
both paths.
ics
Z Z
WACB = F · dr = WADF B = F · dr
ACB ADF B
ys
Ph
Figure 1.1:
So Z Z
F · dr − F · dr = 0
ACB ADF B
Now the sign of line integral changes when we reverses the
ide
direction of integration.
Z Z
F · dr + F · dr = 0
ACB BF DA
hence
gu I
F · dr = 0
So the work done in traveling the whole path once in a closed

cycle is ZERO.
ics
From the stokes theorem we know
I ZZ
F · dr = (∇ × F) · nds
ys
So if the line integral of a vector around a closed curve is zero

then the curl of the vector must be zero.
Ph
∇×F=0
Finally we summaries our discussion of conservative force

If a force F is conservative in a region then all these follow-
ing condition satisfies. Any one of the following five conditions
implies all the others.
∇ × F = 0 at every point of the region.

H
F·dr = 0 around every simple closed curve in the region.
RB
F is conservative, that is A F · dr is independent of the
path of integration from A to B. (The path must, of
ide
course, lie entirely in the region.)
F · dr is an exact differential of a single valued function.
F = −∇ · U , where U is a scalar potential.
gu
ics
ys
Ph
Example 1.2: A particle of mass m moves in the xy

plane so that its position vector is
r = a cos ωti + b sin ωtj
ide
where a, b and ω are positive constants and a > b.
(a) Show that the particle moves in an ellipse.
(b) Show that the force acting on the particle is always
gu
directed toward the origin.
(c) Find the kinetic energy at points A and B of the
figure as shown below.
(d) Find the work done by the force field in moving the
ics
particle from A to B.
(e) Show that the total work done by the field in moving
the particle once around the ellipse is zero.
(f) Show that the force field is conservative.
ys
(g) Find the potential energy at points A and B.

(h) Find the total energy of the particle and see that it
is constant.
Ph
ide
gu Figure 1.2:
ics
Solution: (a) The position vector is
r = xi + yj = a cos ωti + b sin ωtj

ys
So
x = a cos ωt, y = b sin ωt
Ph
Then
(x/a)2 + (y/b)2 = cos2 wt + sin2 ωt = 1
the ellipse is so given by x2 /a2 + y 2 /b2 = 1 (b) Assuming the
particle has constant mass m, the force acting on it is

dv d2 r d2
F=m = m 2 = m 2 [(a cos ωt)i + (b sin ωt)j]
dt 2 dt dt
ide
= m −ω a cos ωti − ω 2 b sin ωtj

= −mω 2 [a cos ωti + b sin ωtj] = −mω 2 r
which shows that the force is always directed toward the ori-
gin.
gu
(c) Velocity
v = dr/dt = −ωa sin ωti + ωb cos ωtj

ics
Kinetic energy
1 2 1
mv = m ω 2 a2 sin2 ωt + ω 2 b2 cos2 ωt

2 2
1
ys
Kinetic energy at A[ where cos ωt = 1, sin ωt = 0] = mω 2 b2

2
1
Kinetic energy at B[ where cos ωt = 0, sin ωt = 1] = mω 2 a2
2
Ph
(d) Work done

Z B Z B Z B
2 2

F · dr = −mω r · dr = −mω r · dr
A A A
Z B B
1 2 1 2 2

= − mω d(r · r) = − mω r
2 A 2 A
1 1 1
= mω 2 a2 − mω 2 b2 = mω 2 a2 − b2

2 2 2
1 1 1
Work done = mω 2 a2 − b2 = mω 2 a2 − mω 2 b2
2 2 2
= kinetic energy at A − kinetic energy at B
ide
(e) We can find the work done by directly integrating the
force also. See that at A and B, t = 0 and t = π/2ω respec-
tively. Then the Work done in moving the particle from A to
B
=
Z B
A
Z π/2ω

gu
F · dr
−mω 2 (a cos ωti + b sin ωtj) · [−ωa sin ωti + ωb cos ωtj]d

ics
0
Z π/2ω
mω 3 a2 − b2 sin ωt cos ωtdt

=
0
π/2ω
1 1
= mω 2 a2 − b2 sin2 ωt = mω 2 a2 − b2

ys
2 0 2
Similarly for a complete circulation around the ellipse, t
goes from 0 to t = 2π/ω.
Ph
Z 2π/ω
mω 3 a2 − b2 sin ωt cos ωtdt

Work done =
0
2π/ω
1
= mω 2 a2 − b2 sin2 ωt

=0
2 0
You can do as you did in part (d) expect the integral goes
from one point to the same point, say A to A and you get
zero.
Z A Z A Z A
−mω 2 r · dr = −mω 2

F · dr = r · dr
A A A
ide
Z A A
1 1
= − mω 2 d(r · r) = − mω 2 r2

2 A 2 A
1 1
= mω 2 a2 − mω 2 a2 = 0
2 2
(f)
gu F = −mω 2 r = −mω 2 (xi + yj)

We calculate the curl of force
ics

i j k
∇ × F = ∂/∂x ∂/∂y ∂/∂z

−mω 2 x −mω 2 y

0

∂ ∂ 2
∂ 2
∂
=i (0) − −mω y + j −mω x − (0)
ys
∂y ∂z ∂z ∂x

∂ ∂
−mw2 y − −mω 2 x

+k
∂x ∂y
Ph
=0
As the curl of the force is zero, the force is conservative.

(g) Since the field is conservative there exists a potential
V such that
∂V ∂V ∂V
F = −mω 2 xi − mω 2 yj = −∇V = − i− j− k
∂x ∂y ∂z
Then
∂V /∂x = mω 2 x, ∂V /∂y = mω 2 y, ∂V /∂z = 0
ide
from which, omitting the constant, we have
1 1 1 1
V = mω 2 x2 + mω 2 y 2 = mω 2 x2 + y 2 = mω 2 r2
2 2 2 2
which is the required potential.
gu
(h) Kinetic energy at any point
1 1
T = mv2 = mr2
2
1
2
ics
= m ω 2 a2 sin2 ωt + ω 2 b2 cos2 ωt

2
Potential energy at any point
1
V = mω 2 r2
ys
2
1
= mω 2 a2 cos2 ωt + b2 sin2 ωt

2
Ph
Add and get

1
T + V = mω 2 a2 + b2

2
The energy depends only on the constants a and b so the
energy is constant.
Example 1.3: (a) Show that the force field F defined

by
F = y 2 z 3 − 6xz 2 i + 2xyz 3 j + 3xy 2 z 2 − 6x2 z k

ide
is a conservative force field.
(b) Find a potential corresponding to the force.
∇×F=
gu
Solution: (a) The force field F is conservative if and only
if curl F = ∇ × F = 0

i
∂/∂x
j
∂/∂y
k
∂/∂z

ics

2 3
y z − 6xz 2 2xyz 3 3xy 2 z 2 − 6x2 z

∂ ∂
3xy 2 z 2 − 6x2 z − 2xyz 3

=i
∂y ∂z
ys

∂ 2 3 2
∂ 2 2 2

+j y z − 6xz − 3xy z − 6x z
∂z ∂x

∂ ∂
2xyz 3 − y 2 z 3 − 6xz 2

+k
∂x ∂y
Ph
=0
(b) As we know the force field F is conservative if and only

if there exists a scalar function or potential V (x, y, z) such
that F = − grad V = −∇V .

∂V ∂V ∂V
F = −∇V = − i− j− k
∂x ∂y ∂z
ide
= y 2 z 3 − 6xz 2 i + 2xyz 3 j + 3xy 2 z 2 − 6x2 z k

Hence if F is conservative we must be able to find V such

that
gu ∂V /∂x = 6xz 2 − y 2 z 3
∂V /∂y = −2xyz 3
∂V /∂z = 6x2 z − 3xy 2 z 2
ics
To find the potential we need to integrate each component
of the force and omit the common terns.
∂V
Integrate with respect to x keeping y and z constant.
∂x
Then
ys
V = 3x2 z 2 − xy 2 z 3 + g1 (y, z)
where g1 (y, z) is a function of y and z
∂V
Ph
Similarly integrate with respect to y (keeping x and z

∂y
constant), we have
V = −xy 2 z 3 + g2 (x, z)
∂V
Then integrate with respect to z (keeping x and y con-
∂z
stant)
The trick is to add all three V 0 s and take one term only
once. 3x2 z 2 and −xy 2 z 3 both the terms have appeared twice.
We take both the term only one time.
So the required potential is
ide
V = 3x2 z 2 − xy 2 z 3 + c
2
gu
Collision in 2D in Center of Mass
frame
ics
2.1 Formulation of the problem
Consider two particles of masses m1 and m2 with velocities

ys
v1 and v2 respectively. The center of mass velocity V is

m1 v1 + m2 v2
V=
m1 + m2
Ph
As shown in the part (a) of the figure below, V lies on the

line joining v1 and v2 The velocities in the COM system are
v1c = v1 − V
m2
= (v1 − v2 )
m1 + m2
ide
Figure 2.1:
and
gu v2c = v2 − V
=
−m1
(v1 − v2 )
ics
m1 + m2
v1c and v2c lie back to back along the relative velocity vector
v = v1 − v2 as shown in the part (b) of the figure.
ys
The momenta in the COM system are
p1c = m1 v1c
m1 m2
(v1 − v2 )
Ph
=
m1 + m2
= µv
p2c = m2 v2c
−m1 m2
= (v1 − v2 )
m1 + m2
= −µv
Here µ = m1 m2 / (m1 + m2 ) is the reduced mass of the system,

the natural unit of mass in a two-particle system. The total
momentum in the COM system is zero. The total momentum
in the Lab frame is
ide
m1 v1 + m2 v2 = (m1 + m2 ) V
and since total momentum is conserved in any collision, V is

constant. We can use this result to help visualize the velocity
gu
vectors before and after the collision.
Now look at the figure below. Part ( a ) visualizes the path

ics
of two colliding particles before and after the collision in the
lab frame. Part ( b ) shows the initial velocities in the Lab and
COM systems. All the vectors lie in the same plane, and v1c
and v2c must be in opposite direction as the total momentum
ys
in the C system is zero. After the collision, as shown in part

( c ), the velocities in the COM system are again in opposite
direction. Part (c) also shows the final velocities in the lab
Ph
system. Note that the plane of part (c) is not necessarily the
plane of part (a)
ide
Figure 2.2:
gu
We will derive the mathematical formulation for the elastic
collision and leave the inelastic collision as the treatment will
be complicated. Conservation of energy applied to the COM
ics
system gives, for elastic collisions,
1 2 1 2 1 02 1 02
m1 v1c + m2 v2c = m1 v1c + m2 v2c
2 2 2 2
Total momentum is zero in the C system. We therefore have
ys
m1 v1c − m2 v2c = 0
0 0
m1 v1c − m2 v2c =0
Ph
0
Using momentum conservation to eliminate v2c and v2c from
the energy equation gives
m21 2

1 1 m 02
m1 + 2
v1c = m1 + 1 v1c
2 m2 2 m2
or
0
v1c = v1c (2.1)
Similarly,
0
v2c = v2c (2.2)
In an elastic collision, the speed of each particle in the
ide
COM system is the same before and after the collision; the
velocity vectors simply rotate in the scattering plane.
Now consider one of the particles, m2 is initially at rest
gu
in the laboratory. So v2 = 0. This case is important as it
happens in many real experiment.
In our earlier discussion of velocities before the collision,

ics
substitute v2 = 0.
m1
V= v1
m1 + m2
m2
v1c = v1 − V = v1
ys
m1 + m2
m1
v2c = −V = − v1
m1 + m2
Ph
The situation is explained in the figure below. Here the

trajectories after the collision in the COM and Lab systems
are shown. You see that v10 makes angle θ1 , and v20 makes
angle θ2 in Lab frame. In the COM frame the velocity vectors
rotates with angle Θ which is called the scattering angle.
Because these angles are in L, they are in principle mea-
surable in the lab. The velocity diagrams can be used to relate

θ1 and θ2 to the scattering angle Θ, as we shall do just now
ide
gu
ics
Figure 2.3:
ys
2.2 Elastic scattering when target particle

at rest
Ph
Now consider the elastic scattering of a particle of mass m1

and velocity v1 from a second particle of mass m2 at rest.
The scattering angle Θ in the COM system is unrestricted,

but the conservation laws impose limitations on the labora-
tory angles, as we now show. The center of mass velocity has
magnitude
m1 v1
V = (2.3)
m1 + m2
The velocity of COM is parallel to v1 . The initial velocities
ide
in the COM system are
m2
v1c = v1
m1 + m2
m1 (2.4)
v2c = − v1
m1 + m2
gu
The mass m1 is scattered through angle Θ in the COM system
as shown in figure above. This essentially means that the mass
m1 deviates an angle Θ from its original direction in the COM
ics
frame.
Now look at the diagram below. This is velocity diagram

of the collision. Look at the figure 2.3 first. You must see
ys
that the initial direction of m1 is same both in Lab and COM

frame (although the magnitude of velocities are different) as
well as the velocity of COM frame which is V . θ1 is the angle
Ph
between the initial and final direction of mass m1 in the Lab

frame. Θ is the angle between the initial and final direction of
mass m1 in the COM frame. As initial direction of m1 is same
both in Lab and COM frame we draw the vector direction of
V , v1 , v1c along same line.
ide
Figure 2.4:
gu
Now it should be clear from the velocity addition rule that
v10 sin θ = v1c

0
sin Θ
ics
and
v10 cos θ = V + v1c
0
Hence we write
ys
0
v1c sin Θ
tan θ1 = 0 cos Θ
V + v1c
0
Ph
since the scattering is elastic, v1c = v1c . Hence

v1c sin Θ
tan θ1 =
V + v1c cos Θ
sin Θ
=
(V /v1c ) + cos Θ
From (2.3) and 2.4 we get V /v1c = m1 /m2 . So,
sin Θ
tan θ1 = (2.5)
(m1 /m2 ) + cos Θ
ide
You can easily check few important results
(i) θ1 ∼
= Θ, m1 m2 (2.6)
and
Θ
gu (ii) θ1 =
2
, m1 = m2
(iii) If m1 < m2 , all scattering angles for m1 in LS are

possible.
(2.7)
ics
(iv) If m1 = m2 , scattering only in the forward hemisphere
(θ ≤ 90◦ ) is possible.
ys
(v) If m1 > m2 , the maximum scattering angle is possible,

θ1 max , being given by
θ1 max = sin−1 (m2 /m1 )

Ph
We’ll prove some important relations relating the scatter-

ing angle of target mass m2 in Lab and COM frame. Look
at the figure below. The scattering angles in Lab and COM
frame has been drawn together in upper left figure (a), the
COM frame alone in upper right (b) and the vector diagram
of final state of target mass both in Lab and COM m2 below

(c).
ide
gu
ics
ys
Figure 2.5:
Ph
We get by balancing the velocity vectors along y axis
v20 sin θ2 = v2c

0
sin Θ
And by balancing the velocity vectors along x axis
v20 cos θ2 = V − v2c

0
cos Θ
Divide first equation by second

sin Θ
tan θ2 = V
0
v2c − cos Θ
ide
From equations (2.1), (2.2) , (2.3) and (2.4) we easily see
that the magnitude of velocity of COM frame and the velocity
of m2 after the collision in COM frame are equal, i.e
Hence
gu 0
V = v2c
sin Θ Θ
(2.8)
ics
tan θ2 = = cot (2.9)
1 − cos Θ 2
We may write this as

π Θ
tan θ2 = tan − (2.10)
ys
2 2
Thus
Ph
1
θ2 = (π − Θ) =⇒ 2θ2 = (π − Θ) (2.11)
2
This is an important result. In the special case of m1 =

m2 , we already know
Θ
m1 = m2 =⇒ θ1 = =⇒ Θ = 2θ2
2
Combining with (2.11) we get

pi
θ1 + θ2 = ; when m1 = m2 (2.12)
2
ide
This result we have proved before.
2.2.1 Kinetic energies in the Lab and COM frame
gu
KE in lab frame
KE in COM frame
1
T1 = m1 v12
2
ics
1 2 2

T1c = m1 v1c + m2 v2c
2
ys
Using equation (2.4) we have
1 m1 m2 2 m2
T1c = v1 = T1
Ph
2 m1 + m2 m1 + m2
This result shows that the initial kinetic energy in the COM
system Tc is always a fraction m2 / (m1 + m2 ) < 1 of the initial
LAB energy. For the final COM energies, we find
2 2
0 1 02 1 m2 2 m2
T1c = m1 v1c = m1 v1 = T1
2 2 m1 + m2 m1 + m2
and
2
0 1 02 1 m1 m1 m2
T2c = m2 v2c = m2 v12 = T1
2 2 m1 + m2 (m1 + m2 )2
ide
The ratio of KE of m1 before and after collision
1 02
T10 2 m1 v1 v102
gu T1
= 1
Using cosine law in figure 2.4

2 m1 v1
2
=
v12
ics
02
v1c = v102 + V 2 − 2v10 V cos θ1
Hence
T10 v 02 v2 V2 v0 V
= 12 = 1c2 − 2 + 2 1 2 cos θ1
ys
T1 v1 v1 v1 v1
We already know
Ph
0
v1c m2 V m1
= and =
v1 m1 + m2 v1 m1 + m2
0
We also know v1c sin Θ = v10 sin θ1 Using this we get
v10 V

0 sin Θ V
2 2 cos θ1 = 2 v1c · 2 cos θ1
v1 sin θ1 v1
and using (2.5)

sin Θ cos θ1 sin Θ m1
= = cos Θ +
sin θ1 tan θ1 m2
ide
So that
v0 V

2m1 m2 m1
2 1 2 cos θ1 = cos Θ +
v1 (m1 + m2 )2 m2
get gu
Doing the substitutions and some algebra (do yourself) we
ics
2 2
T10

m2 m1 2m1 m2 m1
= − + cos Θ +
T1 m1 + m2 m1 + m2 (m1 + m2 )2 m2
This simplifies to
ys
T10 2m1 m2
=1− (1 − cos Θ) (2.13)
T1 (m1 + m2 )2
Ph
This is the ratio of the KE of the projectile particle m1 before

and after collision. Do each step in this formulation carefully.
There can be many problems which can be formed based on
this discussion. If you are thinking why did we calculate the
ration of KE of the projectile particle, I would like to mention
that in many experiment we have the idea about the ratio of
the KE of the projectile and we need to calculate at which
angle the particle detector should be placed, i.e, calculate θ1 .

We will see in an example shortly.
Prove yourself that
ide
s 2
T10 m21 m2
= 2 [cos θ1 ± − sin2 θ1 ]2 (2.14)
T1 (m1 + m2 ) m1
Example 2.1: What is the maximum angle that θ1 can
gu 0
attain for the case V > v1c
and m1 = m2 ?
? What is θ1 max for m1 m2
ics
Solution: The scattering angle Θ depends on the details
of the interaction, but in general it can assume any value. If
m1 < m2 , it follows from equation (2.5) or the geometric con-
struction in part (a) of the figure below that θ1 is unrestricted.
ys
However, the situation is quite different if m1 > m2 . In

this case θ1 is never greater than a certain angle θ1,max . As
figure (b) shows, the maximum value of θ1 occurs when v10 is
Ph
0
perpendicular to v1c .
Now look at the geometry of part (b) of the figure. You see
sin θ1,max = v1c /V = m2 /m1

0
(don’t forget v1c = v1c ) If
m1 m2 , θ1,max ≈ m2 /m1
and the maximum scattering angle in Lab frame approaches

zero.
ide
gu
ics
Figure 2.6:
ys
Think on your familiar example, if m1 /m2 < 1 as in (a),

this is like a flow of small marbles hitting a big ball; the
marbles scatter in all directions. On the other hand, if a
Ph
moving big ball hits small marble, then m1 /m2 1 and the
big ball do not deflect much.
For m1 = m2
sin Θ
tan θ1 = = tan(Θ/2)
1 + cos Θ
so that
θ1 = Θ/2
Example 2.2: If a particle of mass m1 collides elasti-

cally with one of mass m2 at rest, and if m1 mass is
scattered at an angle θ1 and the mass m2 recoils at an
ide
angle θ2 with respect to the line of motion of the incident
particle, (see figure 2.3) then show that
m1 sin(2θ2 + θ1 )
=
m2 sin θ1
gu
Solution: This can be easily done with the help of relation
between angles in COM and Lab frame. As we know from
equation (2.5)
ics
sin Θ
tan θ1 =
(m1 /m2 ) + cos Θ
Again we know from (2.11)
ys
Θ = π − 2θ2
or
sin Θ = sin(π − 2θ2 ) = sin 2θ2
Ph
and
cos Θ = cos(π − 2θ2 ) = − cos 2θ2
Using these
sin Θ
tan θ1 =
(m1 /m2 ) + cos Θ
sinθ1 sin 2θ2
=
cos θ1 (m1 /m2 ) − cos 2θ2
Doing cross multiplication and rearrangement
m1
sin θ1 = sin θ1 cos 2φ + cos θ1 sin 2θ2 = sin(θ1 + 2θ2 )
m2
ide
hence
m1 sin(2θ2 + θ1 )
=
m2 sin θ1
Example 2.3: Particles of mass m1 elastically scatter
gu
from particles of mass m2 at rest.
(a) At what LAB angle should a particle detector be set
to detect particles that lose one-third of their momen-
tum?
ics
(b) Over what range m1 /m2 is this possible?
(c) Calculate the scattering angle for m1 /m2 = 1
Solution: (a) In the Lab frame given that

ys
2 2
m1 v10 = m1 v1 =⇒ v10 = v1
3 3
Ratio of final and initial kinetic energy of particle m1 in Lab
Ph
frame is
1 02 2
T10 2 m1 v1 v102 2 2m1 m2
= 1 2
= 2 = = 1 − 2 (1 − cos Θ)
T1 2 m1 v 1 v 1 3 (m 1 + m 2 )
This equation can be solved for cos θ, giving
5 (m1 + m2 )2
cos Θ = 1 − =1−y
18m1 m2
5 (m1 + m2 )2
we have written y =
18m1 m2
We need θ1 here so use equation (2.5)
p
2y − y 2
ide
sin Θ
tan θ1 = =
cos Θ + m1 /m2 1 − y + m1 /m2
This is the angle where the detector should be placed. We
know the values of m1 and m2 before the experiment, so
the calculation of θ1 can be done from the knowledge of the
masses.
gu
(b) Because tan θ1 must be a real number, only values for
m1 /m2 where 2 − y ≥ 0 are possible. Therefore,
ics
5 (m1 + m2 )2
2− ≥0
18m1 m2
we write this as
ys
2
m1 m1
−5 + 26 −5≥0
m2 m2
Now taking x = m1 /m2 we write this equation as
Ph
−5x2 + 26x − 5 ≥ 0
If we make the inequality as equality, i.e, −5x2 + 26x − 5 = 0,

1
we get x = , 5 Hence
5
1 m1
≤ ≤5
5 m2
(c) Substituting m1 /m2 = 1 in the definition of y

2
m1
5 (m1 + m2 )2 5 +1
m2
y= =
ide
18m1 m2 18m1 /m2
5(1 + 1)2 10
= =
18 9
and substituting for y into tan θ1 gives θ1 = 48◦
gu
ics
ys
Ph

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Newtonian Mechanics:

He has been teaching CSIR NET aspirants since 2012

1 Conservation of energy in three dimension 3

2 Collision in 2D in Center of Mass frame 18

Elastic scattering when target particle at rest

1 Conservation of energy in three

The integration of force give the difference of kinetic en-

and sufficient condition is to have the curl of the force to be

consider a particle acted on by a conservative force F(r), with

dU = U (x + dx, y + dy, z + dz) − U (x, y, z)

So the work done is

That is, F is the vector whose three components are minus

of F. When a force F can be expressed in the form (4.33),

Solution: To find F we have only to evaluate the three

∂U/∂x is found by differentiating with respect to x, treating

Now we prove the statements about the conservative force

So the work done in traveling the whole path once in a closed

So if the line integral of a vector around a closed curve is zero

Finally we summaries our discussion of conservative force

Example 1.2: A particle of mass m moves in the xy

r = a cos ωti + b sin ωtj

(g) Find the potential energy at points A and B.

r = xi + yj = a cos ωti + b sin ωtj

particle has constant mass m, the force acting on it is

= −mω 2 [a cos ωti + b sin ωtj] = −mω 2 r

v = dr/dt = −ωa sin ωti + ωb cos ωtj

Kinetic energy at A[ where cos ωt = 1, sin ωt = 0] = mω 2 b2

(d) Work done

gu F = −mω 2 r = −mω 2 (xi + yj)

As the curl of the force is zero, the force is conservative.

∂V /∂x = mω 2 x, ∂V /∂y = mω 2 y, ∂V /∂z = 0

Add and get

Example 1.3: (a) Show that the force field F defined

F = y 2 z 3 − 6xz 2 i + 2xyz 3 j + 3xy 2 z 2 − 6x2 z k

(b) As we know the force field F is conservative if and only

that F = − grad V = −∇V .

Hence if F is conservative we must be able to find V such

Similarly integrate with respect to y (keeping x and z

Consider two particles of masses m1 and m2 with velocities

v1 and v2 respectively. The center of mass velocity V is

As shown in the part (a) of the figure below, V lies on the

The momenta in the COM system are

Here µ = m1 m2 / (m1 + m2 ) is the reduced mass of the system,

and since total momentum is conserved in any collision, V is

Now look at the figure below. Part ( a ) visualizes the path

in the C system is zero. After the collision, as shown in part

In an elastic collision, the speed of each particle in the

Now consider one of the particles, m2 is initially at rest

In our earlier discussion of velocities before the collision,

The situation is explained in the figure below. Here the

Because these angles are in L, they are in principle mea-

surable in the lab. The velocity diagrams can be used to relate

2.2 Elastic scattering when target particle

Now consider the elastic scattering of a particle of mass m1

The scattering angle Θ in the COM system is unrestricted,

Now look at the diagram below. This is velocity diagram

that the initial direction of m1 is same both in Lab and COM

between the initial and final direction of mass m1 in the Lab

v10 sin θ = v1c

since the scattering is elastic, v1c = v1c . Hence