Equation of motion for a simple mechanical system

  • #1
davidwinth
99
8
TL;DR Summary
I want to find an equation of motion for the following system through the use of the Lagrangian approach.
The system is shown below. It consists of a rod of length ##L## and mass ##m_b## connecting a disk of radius ##R## and mass ##m_d## to a collar of mass ##m_c## which is in turn free to slide without friction on a vertical and rigid pole. The disk rolls without slipping on the floor. The ends of the rod are attached such that they rotate without friction. I choose the angle ##\theta## between the horizontal and the rod as the generalized coordinate.


The velocity of the center of mass of the collar is strictly vertical, and is given by: ##V{_c} = Lcos(\theta)\dot{\theta}##.

The velocity of the center of mass of the disk is strictly horizontal, and is given by ##V{_d}=-Lsin(\theta)\dot{\theta}##.

The translational velocity of the center of mass of the rod is obtained from its components as: ##V_{b} = \sqrt{\dot{x}_{b}^2 + \dot{y}_{b}^2} = \frac{L\dot{\theta}}{2}##.

The rotational velocity of the disk about its center of mass is given as: ##\omega_d = \frac{-Lsin(\theta)\dot{\theta}}{R}##.

The rotational velocity of the rod about its center of mass is given as: ##\omega_b = \dot{\theta}##.

Thus, the total kinetic energy for this system is the sum of all these contributions:

$$\frac{1}{2}m_{c}(Lcos(\theta)\dot{\theta})^2 + \frac{1}{2}m_{b}\left(\frac{L\dot{\theta}}{2}\right)^2 + \frac{1}{2}m_{d}\left(Lsin(\theta)\dot{\theta}\right)^2 + \frac{1}{2}I_{d}\left(\frac{Lsin(\theta)\dot{\theta}}{R}\right)^2 + \frac{1}{2}I_{b}(\dot{\theta})^2$$

Where the ##I_d## and ##I_b## are the moment of inertia about the centroid of the disk and rod, respectively.

My doubt is whether I have correctly accounted for the motion of the rod by decomposing it this way. Is there something I have neglected in considering the motion of the rod?



CollarSlip.png
 

Answers and Replies

  • #2
TSny
Homework Helper
Gold Member
13,955
4,128
My doubt is whether I have correctly accounted for the motion of the rod by decomposing it this way. Is there something I have neglected in considering the motion of the rod?
So far, everything looks good to me.
 
  • #3
davidwinth
99
8
Thank you!
 

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