2006/12/15 by J. Gemmer, Gemmer, J., R. Umble +3
Mathematics · Physics and Astronomy · #FOS: Physical sciences #Mathematical Physics (math-ph) #math-ph #math.MP
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.math-ph/0612052
12 pages, 6 figures
arxiv created 2009/01/27 · arxiv updated 2009/12/01
Consider a frictionless surface S in a gravitational field that need not be uniform. Given two points A and B on S, what curve is traced out by a particle that starts at A and reaches B in the shortest time? This paper considers this problem on simple surfaces such as surfaces of revolution and solves the problem two ways: First, we use conservation of mechanical energy and the Euler-Lagange equation; second, we use geometrical optics and the eikonal equation. We conclude with a discussion of the relativistic effects at relativistic velocities.