How to Find Velocity in a Cycloidal Pendulum?

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To find the velocity of a cycloidal pendulum, the correct approach involves deriving the x and y components of the velocity vector separately. The derivatives of the position equations x = RΘ + RsinΘ and y = -RcosΘ yield the components x' = RΘ' + Rcos(Θ)Θ' and y' = Rsin(Θ)Θ'. The magnitude of the velocity squared, v², is calculated by squaring these components and summing them, rather than incorrectly adding the derivatives directly. The realization that velocity is a vector with distinct components is crucial for solving the problem accurately. This method ultimately leads to the correct expression for v².
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Homework Statement


Cycloidal Pendulum, with x= RΘ+RsinΘ and y = -RcosΘ
I need to find the Lagragian.


Homework Equations



L = T - V

The Attempt at a Solution



I just want to know how do I find the velocity so I can find T, which is 1/2 mv². I thought it would be dx/dΘ but it didn't work. Can anyone explain to me how can I find the velocity?
 
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Remember that velocity is the derivative of position with respect to time and is a vector. What are its x and y components? Could you use these components to find ##v^2##?
 
Ok, I realized that I must consider x and y and derivative in relation with time.

v = dx/dt + dy/dt

then v² would be (dx/dt + dy/dt)².

I did the derivatives:

x'= RΘ' + Rcos(Θ)Θ' and y' = Rsin(Θ)Θ',

so x+y = RΘ' + RΘ' (cosΘ + sinΘ)

Also, v² = ( RΘ' + RΘ' (cosΘ + sinΘ))² = (4R²Θ'² + R²Θ'²cos²Θsin²Θ)
But in my answer it is

4R²Θ²cos²(Θ/2)

What am I doing wrong?
 
Last edited:
Paradoxx said:
Ok, I realized that I must consider x and y and derivative in relation with time.

v = dx/dt + dy/dt

then v² would be (dx/dt + dy/dt)².

I did the derivatives:

x'= RΘ' + Rcos(Θ)Θ' and y' = Rsin(Θ)Θ',

so x+y = RΘ' + RΘ' (cosΘ + sinΘ)

Also, v² = ( RΘ' + RΘ' (cosΘ + sinΘ))² = (4R²Θ'² + R²Θ'²cos²Θsin²Θ)
But in my answer it is

4R²Θ²cos²(Θ/2)

What am I doing wrong?

##v=\frac{dx}{dt}+\frac{dy}{dt}## is wrong. Remember that ##\vec{v}## is a vector! What is the x-component of ##\vec{v}##? What is the y-component of ##\vec{v}##? After you have the components, you can find ##v^2## by squaring the components and adding them, right?
 
Ohhh, you are right! It worked now, thank you very much!
 

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