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ACP PS2 Sol PDF
ACP PS2 Sol PDF
1
Advanced Classical Physics, Autumn 2016 Problem Sheet 2 – Solutions
Figure 1:
(b) For the earthbound coordinate system above we have v = ẋi + ẏj, and
ω = ω(cos λj + sin λk).
Hence the Coriolis acceleration is −2ω × v = −2ω (−ẏ sin λi + ẋ sin λj − ẋ cos λk).
Since the pendulum is rigid we are only interested in the Coriolis acceleration lying in
the x − y plane given by ac = 2ω sin λ (ẏi − ẋj). The restoring acceleration due to the
tension in the pendulum is ap = − Lg (xi + yj). The components of the total acceleration
a = ac + ap are therefore
g
ẍ = 2Ωẏ − x , (3.1)
L
g
ÿ = −2ω sin λẋ − y , (3.2)
L
as required.
Setting u = x + iy and adding the above two equations yields
ü + 2iΩu̇ + ω02 u = 0 (3.3)
g
where Ω = ω sin λ and ω02 = L as required. [5 marks]
2
Advanced Classical Physics, Autumn 2016 Problem Sheet 2 – Solutions
2π × 24 hrs
T = = 30.67 hrs . (3.13)
2π × sin 51.5◦
[2 marks]
This is the period of the Foucault pendulum in the Science museum.
[TOTAL 20 marks]