- #1
ehrenfest
- 2,020
- 1
Homework Statement
When I use generalized coordinates how do I know that I can add the kinetic contributions from each to get the total kinetic energy? How do I know that you are not "counting the same KE twice"?
e.g. if you have a double pendulum how do you know that you can just add the KE due to one angle to the KE due to the other angle?
What if the angles are moving in opposite directions? Couldn't some KE cancel out then?