Lagrange's equation Definition and 24 Threads

For the central force ##F=-\nabla U(r_r)## where ##\vec r_r=\vec r_1-\vec r_2##, and ##\vec r_1## and ##\vec r_2## denote the positions of the masses, we get the following kinetic energy using the definition of center of mass ##\vec r_{cm}= \frac{m_1\vec r_1+m_2\vec r_2}{m_1+m_2}##: $$T= \frac...

Good morning, I'm not a student but I'm curious about physics. I would like to calculate the equation of motion of a system using the Lagrangian mechanics. Suppose a particle subjected to some external forces. From Wikipedia, I found two method: 1. using kinetic energy and generalized forces...

Hi :) This is a problem from David Tong's Classical Dynamics course, found here: http://www.damtp.cam.ac.uk/user/tong/dynamics.html. In particular it is problem 6ii in the first problem sheet. Firstly we can see the lagrangian is ##L = \frac{1}{2}m(\dot{r}^2+r^2\dot{\theta}^2+\dot{z}^2) -...

Wikipedia article under generalized forces says Also we know that the generalized forces are defined as How can I derive the first equation from the second for a monogenic system ?

(This is not about independence of ##q##, ##\dot q##) A system has some holonomic constraints. Using them we can have a set of coordinates ##{q_i}##. Since any values for these coordinates is possible we say that these are independent coordinates. However the system will trace a path in the...

I have tried to solve the problem through the use of a rotating reference frame, since I should have as a solution an orbit given by the Kepler potential, but I haven't come up with anything. Any ideas ?

The first chapter in Goldstein's Classical Mechanics ends with 3 examples about how to apply Lagrange's eqs. to simple problems. The second example is about the Atwood's machine. The book says that the tension of the rope can be ignored, but I don't understand why. The two masses can move...

<<Moderator's note: Moved from a technical forum, no template.>> Description of the system: The masses m1 and m2 lie on a smooth surface. The masses are attached with a spring of non stretched length l0 and spring constant k. A constant force F is being applied to m2. My coordinates: Left of...

My question is related to the book: Classical Mechanics by Taylor. Section 7.8 So, In the book Taylor is trying to derive the conservation of momentum and energy from Lagrange's equation. I understood everything, but I am struggling with the concept and the following equation...

I am getting correct equations on using the Lagrangian method in Systems with no non conservative forces, but when I use it in Systems with friction, sometimes I get correct equations, and sometimes I do not. Most of the equations have some problem with the coefficients of the frictional forces...

Homework Statement Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution

Homework Statement Consider an inertial laboratory frame S with coordinates (##\lambda##; ##x##). The Lagrangian for the relativistic harmonic oscillator in that frame is given by ##L =-mc\sqrt{\dot x^{\mu} \dot x_{\mu}} -\frac {1}{2} k(\Delta x)^2 \frac{\dot x^{0}}{c}## where ##x^0...

Homework Statement Show that for an arbitrary ideal holonomic system (n degrees of freedom) \frac{1}{2} \frac{\partial \ddot T}{\partial\ddot q_j} - \frac{3}{2} \frac{\partial T}{\partial q_j} = Q_j where T is kinetic energy and qj generalized coordinates.[/B]Homework Equations...

Homework Statement Let's say that I have a potential ##U(x) = \beta (x^2-\alpha ^2)^2## with minima at ##x=\pm \alpha##. I need to find the normal modes and vibrational frequencies. How do I do this? Homework Equations ##U(x) = \beta (x^2-\alpha ^2)^2## ##F=-kx=-m\omega ^2 x## ##\omega =...

" We can put the Lorentz force law into this form by being clever. First, we write $$\frac{dA_j}{dt}=\frac{d}{dt}(\frac{\partial{}}{\partial{v_j}}(v.A)),$$ since the partial derivative will pick out only the jth component of the dot product. Now, since the scalar potential is independent of the...

I really want to know whether this equation is nonholonomic or not. (As far as I know, Nonholonomic constraint has a term of velocity and do non-integrable. But this formula does not dependent on a path, because it is a total differential form.)

Homework Statement So I'm deriving Lagrange's equations using Hamilton's principle which states that the motion of a dynamical system follows the path, consistent with any constraints, that minimise the time integral over the lagrangian L = T-U, where T is the kinetic energy and U is the...

Hi, I'm currently trying to learn about finding equations of motion from the Lagrange equation, and I'm a little confused about how it applies to multiple degree of freedom systems. I am using the following form of the equation with T as total kinetic energy, V as total potential energy, R as...

Hello, I am currently reading about the topic alluded to in the topic of this thread. In Taylor's Classical Mechanics, the author appears to be making a requirement about any arbitrary coordinate system you employ in solving some particular problem. He says, "Instead of the Cartesian...

Hi What is the difference between Lagrange's equation of motion and the Euler-Lagrange equations? Don't they both yield the path which minimizes the action S? Niles.

i have been trying to solve this past exam problem, a simple pendulum of length l and bob with mass m is attracted to a massless support moving horizontally with constant acceleration a. Determine the lagrange's equations of motion and the period of small oscillations. here's what i solved...

Homework Statement A double pendulum consists of two simple pendula, with one pendulum suspended from the bob of the other. If the two pendula have equal lengths and have bobs of equal mass and if both pendula are confined to move in the same plane, find Lagrange's equations of motion for the...

Homework Statement two blocks each of mass m are connected by an extensionless uniform string of length l. one block is placed on a smooth horizontal surface and the other block hangs over the side the string passes over a frictionless pulley. describe the motion of the system when the mass of...

A pendulum consists of a mass m suspended by a massless spring with unextended length b and. spring constant k. Find Lagrange’s equations of motion Here's how I set up my equation: x = lsin(theta) y = -lcos(theta) (x=0 at equilibrium, y=0 at the point wehre the pendulum is hung from)...