Finding Binding Force in Falling Disk System with Lagrange Equations

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on deriving the equation of motion and binding force for a falling disk system using Lagrange equations. The system is described with one degree of freedom, represented by the angle of rotation, ##\phi##. Participants explore the relationship between translational and rotational motion, emphasizing the need for constraints that link these motions. There is a debate on whether to express constraints in terms of displacements or velocities, with references to classical mechanics literature for further understanding. The conversation highlights the complexity of applying Lagrange multipliers in this context and the necessity of establishing correct binding functions.
Vrbic
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Homework Statement


Let's have a disk and massless rope tangled in it. One end of rope is tied to the ceiling and the disk is falling freely down. System has one degree of freedom. As a coordinate we can choose angle ##\phi## which says an angle of rotation from the start position. Find from the Lagrange equations of the first kind equation of motion and binding force.

Homework Equations


Lagrange equtions of the first kind:
$$m \ddot x = F_x+ \lambda \frac {\partial f} {\partial x} \\
m \ddot y = F_y+ \lambda \frac {\partial f} {\partial y} $$, where f is binding function

The Attempt at a Solution


I suppose this term ## \lambda \frac {\partial f} {\partial y}## is binding force, but I don't have no idea how to find it.
Next here we use coordinate ##\phi ##, I should transforme y -> ##\phi ##. I suppose diameter of disk ##r ## so ##y=r\phi ##. Do you agree?
I probably know how to solve it other way: ##-ma = -mg +F1, M=F1*R=I*\alpha ##(angular acceleration) ##=mR^2/2*a/R=amR/2## from this I know anything what I need: ##-ma=-mg + am/2 => a=2g/3 ## Is it right?
But I don't know how to solve it through Lagrange equation. Can you advice me?
 
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Vrbic said:
System has one degree of freedom.

the disc is falling as well as rotating so initially two degrees of freedom of rotational motion as well as translational motion appears.
now one can talk about constraints. and what will be constraining equations which can render one degree of freedom dependent on the other.,
if ds is displacement then it must be equal to radius times the change in angle
ds - R. d(phi) =0
so, lagranges equati on has to be written first in generalized coordinates and one can use method of lagranges multipliers ; one can look up Goldstein's book on classical mechanics...
 
drvrm said:
one can look up Goldstein's book on classical mechanics...
It's really wide book :)
I've read some paragraphs and something is clear. But I don't understand why is sometimes convenient to have a constraint written in derivatives (velocities)? And how I find out, if it is my case? I know a procedure of solving minimalization problem for function of more variables by Lagrange multipliers, but generally I don't get relation between minimalization problem and this problem.
When I look up at Lagrange equations of first kind which I wrote, I guess that ##f## function should be ##f=y-R\phi##. And one equation will be for ##y## and second for ##\phi## do you agree?
 
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