Lagrangian and Euler-Lagrange equation question

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around difficulties in applying the Euler-Lagrange equations to a specific problem involving angular and radial motion. The user expresses confusion regarding the differentiation of the Lagrangian with respect to time, particularly in the context of the theta equation. They initially misapplied the differentiation, not accounting for the time dependence of the r² term. A suggestion is made that from the equation involving theta, one can conclude that m₁r²dot(θ) equals a constant. The user plans to revisit their calculations based on this feedback.
Sekonda
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Hey,

I'm having trouble with part (d) of the question displayed below:

tmst.png


I reckon I'm doing the θ Euler-Lagrange equation wrong, I get :

\frac{\mathrm{d} }{\mathrm{d} t}(\frac{\partial L}{\partial \dot{\theta}})-\frac{\partial L}{\partial \theta}=\frac{\mathrm{d} }{\mathrm{d} t}(m_{1}r^{2}\dot{\theta})=0

and for the 'r' EL equation I get:

\frac{\mathrm{d} }{\mathrm{d} t}(\frac{\partial L}{\partial \dot{r}})-\frac{\partial L}{\partial r}=m_{1}\ddot{r}+m_{2}\ddot{r}-m_{1}r\dot{\theta}^{2}-m_{2}g=0

In the theta equation I was originally just differentiating the theta with repsects to time, but the r^2 term also has a time dependence, I tried doing this and didn't know where to go from there... I'll have another go.

Any comments are appreciated,
Thanks,
SK
 
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From ##\frac{d}{dt} m_1 r^2 \dot\theta = 0## you can conclude that ##m_1 r^2 \dot\theta = k##.
 
Thanks

Thanks I'll go and try that and see where that leads me, I think I tried this before but was obviously doing something wrong as the force wasn't central in the end...

Cheers!
SK
 
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