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adjklx
Jan22-09, 08:47 AM
Hi, I am trying to solve this problem here:

http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/7006/springqo9.jpg

We're supposed to find the equation of motion from the lagrangian and not newton's equations.

Attempted solution:

L = T - U = \frac{I\omega^2}{2} + \frac{mv^2}{2} - \frac{kr^2}{2}
I = m(r^2 + l^2)
v = \frac{dr}{dt}

From the euler-lagrange equation \frac{\partial L}{\partial r} = \frac{d}{dt}\frac{\partial L}{\partial v} I get:

m\omega^2r - kr = m \frac{d^2r}{dt^2}
(\omega^2-\frac{k}{m})r = \frac{d^2r}{dt^2}

If anyone can see any mistakes i'd appreciate it if they could let me know. Thanks

chrisk
Jan22-09, 09:32 AM
Your equation

(\omega^2-\frac{k}{m})r = \frac{d^2r}{dt^2}

appears correct. Recall that

\frac{k}{m} = \omega^2_{spring}

So, this shows the special value for

\omega^2

Particularly,

\omega^2=\omega^2_{spring}