\documentclass[compose]{exam-n} \begin{document} \begin{question}{20} \author{John Brown and Declan Diver} \part An earth satellite in a highly eccentric orbit of (constant) perigee distance $q$ undergoes a targential velocity impulse $-\Delta V$ at each perigee passage. By considering the mean rate of change of velocity at perigee, show that the mean rate of change of the semi-major axis $a$ ($\gg q$) satisfies \begin{equation*} \frac{1}{a^2} \Diffl at = \left(\frac{8}{GMq}\right)^{1/2}\frac{\Delta V}{T}, \end{equation*} where $M$ is the Earth's mass and $T$ the orbital period. \partmarks{3} \begin{questiondata} You may assume $\displaystyle v^2(r)=GM\left(\frac{2}{r}-\frac{1}{a}\right)$. \end{questiondata} Using $T=2\pi(a^3/GM)^{1/2}$ show that with $a_0=a(0)$, (where $a(t)$ is the semimajor axis at time $t$) \begin{equation*} \frac{a(t)}{a_0}=\left[1-\frac{t\Delta V}{2^{1/2}\pi a_0(1-e_0)^{1/2}}\right]^2 \partmarks{2} \end{equation*} and \begin{equation*} \frac{T(t)}{T_0}=\left[1-\frac{t\Delta V}{2^{1/2}\pi a_0(1-e_0)^{1/2}}\right]^3 \partmarks{1} \end{equation*} and the eccentricity satisfies (with $e_0=e(0)$) \begin{equation*} e(t)=1-\frac{1-e_0}{\left[1-\frac{t\Delta V}{2^{1/2}\pi a_0(1-e_0)^{1/2}}\right]^2}. \partmarks{2} \end{equation*} Show that, once the orbit is circular, its radius decays exponentially with time on timescale $m_0/2\dot{m}$ where $m_0$ is the satellite mass and $\dot{m}$ the mass of atmosphere `stopped' by it per second. \partmarks{2} \part What is meant by (a) the sphere of influence of a star, and (b) the passage distance? \partmarks{2} Consider a system of $N$ identical stars, each of mass $m$. \part Given that the change $\delta u$ in the speed of one such star due to the cumulative effect over time $t$ of many gravitational encounters with other stars in the system can be approximated by \begin{equation*} (\delta u)^2 \propto [\nu tm^2\log(p_{\rm max}/p_{\rm min})]/\bar{u}, \end{equation*} where $\bar{u}$ is the rms mutual speed, $\nu$ is the stellar number density, and $p_{\rm max, min}$ are the maximum, minimum passage distances for the system, show that this leads to a natural time $T$ for the system, where \begin{equation*} T\propto\frac{\bar{u}u^2}{m^2\nu\log N}. \partmarks{5} \end{equation*} \begin{questiondata} You may assume that the sphere of influence radius of a star is approximated by $(m/M)^{2/5}R$ where $R$ and $M$ are the radius and mass of the whole system respectively. \end{questiondata} \part Deduce that $T$ is the disintegration timescale for the system, by showing that a star with initial speed $u_0$ in a stable circular orbit reaches escape speed after time $T$. \partmarks{3} Dummy text, to lengthen the question to the extent that it spreads across three pages. Dummy text, to lengthen the question to the extent that it spreads across three pages. Dummy text, to lengthen the question to the extent that it spreads across three pages. Dummy text, to lengthen the question to the extent that it spreads across three pages. Dummy text, to lengthen the question to the extent that it spreads across three pages. Dummy text, to lengthen the question to the extent that it spreads across three pages. Dummy text, to lengthen the question to the extent that it spreads across three pages. Dummy text, to lengthen the question to the extent that it spreads across three pages. Dummy text, to lengthen the question to the extent that it spreads across three pages. Dummy text, to lengthen the question to the extent that it spreads across three pages. Dummy text, to lengthen the question to the extent that it spreads across three pages. Dummy text, to lengthen the question to the extent that it spreads across three pages. Dummy text, to lengthen the question to the extent that it spreads across three pages. Dummy text, to lengthen the question to the extent that it spreads across three pages. Dummy text, to lengthen the question to the extent that it spreads across three pages. Dummy text, to lengthen the question to the extent that it spreads across three pages. \end{question} \end{document}