Let (r,θ) be plane polar coordinates and er and eθ unit vectors in the direction of increasing r and θ respectively. Show that the velocity of a particle moving in the plane with polar coordinates (r(t),θ(t)) is given by
x˙=r˙er+rθ˙eθ,
and that the unit normal n to the particle path is parallel to
rθ˙er−r˙eθ.
Deduce that the perpendicular distance p from the origin to the tangent of the curve r=r(θ) is given by
p2r2=1+r21(dθdr)2
The particle, whose mass is m, moves under the influence of a central force with potential V(r). Use the conservation of energy E and angular momentum h to obtain the equation
p21=h22m(E−V(r))
Hence express θ as a function of r as the integral
θ=∫2m(E−Veff(r))hr−2dr
where
Veff(r)=V(r)+2mr2h2
Evaluate the integral and describe the orbit when V(r)=r2c, with c a positive constant.