Lagrange multipliers in a simple pendulum

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on applying Lagrange multipliers to derive the equations of motion for a simple pendulum system. The user defines the constraint equation as l = constant = C and modifies the Lagrangian to include the Lagrange multiplier, resulting in a new Lagrangian, \tilde L. The kinetic energy is expressed as T = (m\dot{\theta}^2 l^2)/2, while the potential energy is V = l - l\cos(\theta). The user successfully derives the Euler-Lagrange equations and questions the interpretation of the generalized force, \lambda_l, which is calculated as \lambda_l = m\dot{\theta}^2 l - mg(1 + \cos(\theta)).

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  • Understanding of Lagrangian mechanics
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  • Knowledge of kinetic and potential energy in mechanical systems
  • Basic grasp of the Euler-Lagrange equations
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Homework Statement


Not really a homework question, just want to check out if what I'm doing is right. I challenged myself to find the equation of motion and the forces in the simple pendulum system but with using the Lagrange multipliers and the constraint equation.

Homework Equations


In next part.

The Attempt at a Solution


Let l be the length of the pendulum. I use polar coordinates and set my system of reference in the place where the mass is when at rest. The constraint equation is, I believe, l=\text{constant}=C.
I write a modified Lagrangian which takes into account the constraint equation and the Lagrange multiplier. \tilde L =L-\lambda _ l (l-C).
The kinetic energy of the system is T=\frac{m\dot \theta ^2 l^2}{2} while the potential energy is V=l-l\cos \theta.
So that \tilde L=\frac{m\dot \theta ^2 l^2}{2}-(l-l\cos \theta)-\lambda _ l (l-C). I have thus 3 "generalized coordinates", \lambda _l which should be worth the force of constraint, theta and l.
Euler-Lagrange equations yield l=C when considering \lambda_l as generalized coordinate, \theta ^2 +\frac{g}{l}\sin \theta =0 where I had to consider that l=C so that \dot l=0 (that was when considering theta as generalized coordinate) and finally for l they yield \lambda _l=m \dot \theta ^2 l -mg (1+\cos \theta ) which has units of Newton. So I am guessing this is the tension force or something like that, I am not really sure. This is a generalized force but I'm not sure with respect to what generalized coordinate. Any explanation is appreciated.
I wonder if all I did is ok. Could someone clarify things up? Thank you!
However I do not know how to get the generalized force, \lambda _l.
 
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I tried considering l as the generalized coordinate and setting \theta =\theta _0 with \dot \theta =0 so that it simplifies to \lambda _l = mg (1+\cos \theta _0 ) which is a constant value. Is this alright?
 

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