# Particle constrained to move on a hemisphere

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1. Jan 8, 2015

### Jeremy Wittkopp

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
A particle slides on the outer surface of an inverted hemisphere. Using Lagrangian multipliers, determine the reaction force on the particle. Where does the particle leave the hemispherical surface?

L - Lagrangian
qi - Generalized ith coordinate
f(r) - Holonomic constraint
Qi - Generalized force of constraint on the ith particle
λj - Lagrangian multiplier

2. Relevant equations
$$\frac{d}{dt}\frac{\partial L}{\partial \dot q_i} - \frac{\partial L}{\partial q_i} = \sum_{j=0}^k \lambda_j \frac{\partial f_j}{\partial q_i},\ i = 1, ..., n \ j = 1,... k\\ \\ x = r * \sin\theta * \cos\phi\\ y = r * \sin\theta * \sin\phi\\ z = r * \cos\theta\\ f(r) = r - R = 0\\ Q_i = \sum_{j=0}^k \lambda_j \frac{\partial f_j}{\partial q_i}$$

3. The attempt at a solution
So I was able to derive the potential energy $$U = mgr \cos\theta$$ the kinetic energy $$T = \frac{1}{2}m(\dot r^2 + r^2 \dot\theta^2 + r^2 \dot\phi^2 \sin^2\theta)$$I then inserted them into the Lagrangian and got the two equations
$$\frac{d}{dt}\frac{\partial L}{\partial \dot q_i} - \frac{\partial L}{\partial q_i} = \lambda_r * \frac{\partial f}{\partial r} \\ \frac{d}{dt}\frac{\partial L}{\partial \dot q_i} - \frac{\partial L}{\partial q_i} = \lambda_\theta * \frac{\partial f}{\partial \theta}$$

Where $$\frac{\partial f}{\partial r} = 1$$ and $$\frac{\partial f}{\partial \theta} = 0$$

But after inputting L into these two equations I get:

$$Q_r = m \ddot r - mg\sin\theta - mr \dot \theta^2 - mr \dot \phi^2 \sin^2\theta$$

I think there is something wrong here, but it may just be me. Also, I already searched through other threads to find this answer.

2. Jan 8, 2015

### Orodruin

Staff Emeritus
The separate terms in your final expression look reasonable. However, the constraints require that $\ddot r = 0$. What is left is centripetal force required to keep the particle on the hemisphere and the force required to cancel the radial component of the gravitational force. I have not checked the signs, but it feels like the gravitational term should have the opposite sign (depending on what you mean by "inverted hemisphere").