Homework 6

April 19, 2015

(1) Consider a particle of mass m that is subject a 3-dimensional central force that is rotationally invariant.
(a) Derive the Hamiltonian and write Hamiltons equations of motion.
(b) Suppose that initial conditions are (0) = p (0) = 0. Show how that simplifies the equations of motion.
(2) Consider a particle confined to the surface of a sphere of radius r(t) (i.e. the radius is time-dependent). The particle
is subject to a uniform gravitational field.
(a) Derive the Hamiltonian and write Hamiltons equations of motion.
(b) Is the Hamiltonian equal to the mechanical energy? Are either conserved?