Lagrangian of Simple Pendulum with Fixed Masses and Horizontal Bar

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on deriving the Lagrangian for a system consisting of two masses, m1 and m2, fixed at the ends of a rigid rod of length l, with m1 able to move horizontally. The system is analyzed under the influence of a uniform gravitational field g. The kinetic energy terms presented include a discrepancy where the proposed solution includes an additional term, \(\frac{1}{2}m_{2}(2l\dot{x}\dot{θ}\cosθ)\), which accounts for the coupling between the horizontal motion of m1 and the angular motion of the rod.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Lagrangian mechanics
  • Familiarity with kinetic energy expressions in multi-body systems
  • Knowledge of Euler-Lagrange equations
  • Basic concepts of angular motion and its relation to linear motion
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of the Lagrangian for coupled systems in classical mechanics
  • Learn how to apply the Euler-Lagrange equations to complex mechanical systems
  • Explore the effects of constraints on motion in Lagrangian mechanics
  • Investigate the relationship between linear and angular velocities in rigid body dynamics
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This discussion is beneficial for physics students, mechanical engineers, and anyone studying classical mechanics, particularly those interested in Lagrangian formulations and multi-body dynamics.

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Homework Statement


2 masses, m[itex]_{1}[/itex] and m[itex]_{2}[/itex] are fixed at the endpoints of a rigid rod of length l. mass m[itex]_{1}[/itex] is attached to a horizontal bar so that it may move in the x direction freely, but not in the y direction. let θ be the angle the rod makes with the vertical, what is the corresponding Lagrangian of the system if it is assumed to be in the uniform gravitational field g?


Homework Equations


Euler Lagrange eqns


The Attempt at a Solution


The only issue I am running into with this problem is in the kinetic energy terms. My kinetic terms are : [itex]\frac{1}{2}[/itex](m[itex]_{1}[/itex]+m[itex]_{2}[/itex])[itex]\dot{x}[/itex][itex]^{2}[/itex]+[itex]\frac{1}{2}[/itex]m[itex]_{2}[/itex]l[itex]^{2}[/itex][itex]\dot{θ}[/itex][itex]^{2}[/itex] but the book proposes a solution the same as mine except with the added term [itex]\frac{1}{2}[/itex]m[itex]_{2}[/itex](2l[itex]\dot{x}[/itex][itex]\dot{θ}[/itex]cosθ). I am not understanding where this term comes from, I thought I took care of the x velocity dependence in the first term.
 
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Find expressions for the x and y coordinates of m2 in terms of the x coordinate of m1 and θ.
 

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