What are Lagrange's equations of motion for a pendulum suspended by a spring?

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    2015
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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on deriving Lagrange's equations of motion for a pendulum consisting of a mass \( m \) suspended by a spring with an unextended length \( b \) and spring constant \( k \). The solution, provided by user logan3, outlines the necessary steps to formulate the equations using the principles of Lagrangian mechanics. Key components include the kinetic and potential energy expressions relevant to the system, which are essential for applying the Lagrange method effectively.

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  • Understanding of Lagrangian mechanics
  • Familiarity with kinetic and potential energy concepts
  • Knowledge of spring dynamics and Hooke's Law
  • Basic calculus and differential equations
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  • Study the derivation of Lagrange's equations in classical mechanics
  • Explore the application of Lagrangian mechanics to oscillatory systems
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This discussion is beneficial for physics students, mechanical engineers, and anyone interested in advanced dynamics and the application of Lagrangian mechanics to mechanical systems.

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Here is this week's POTW:

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A pendulum consists of a mass $m$ suspended by a spring with negligible mass with unextended length $b$ and spring constant $k$. Find Lagrange's equations of motion.

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Congratulations to logan3 for correctly solving this week's POTW! The solution follows:

SOLUTION
m = mass
k = spring constant
θ = angular displacement of spring pendulum from rest position
b = unextended length of spring pendulum
x = extended length of spring pendulum

$F_{mass} = mg\cos(\theta) - k(x - b) = ma_{mass} = m(\ddot x - x \dot \theta^2) \Rightarrow m \ddot x - mx \dot \theta^2 - mg\cos(\theta) + k(x - b) = 0$

$F_{\theta} = -mg\sin(\theta) = ma_{\theta} = m(x \ddot \theta + 2 \dot x \dot \theta) \Rightarrow x \ddot \theta + 2 \dot x \dot \theta + g\sin(\theta) = 0$

or

$T = KE = \frac {1} {2} m (\ddot x^2 + x^2 \dot \theta^2)$
$U = PE = -mgx\cos(\theta) + \frac {1} {2} k(x - b)^2$

Lagrangian $(L) = T - U = \frac {1}{2} m (\ddot x^2 + x^2 \dot \theta^2) + mgx\cos(\theta) - \frac {1}{2} k(x - b)^2$

Euler-Lagrangian for x:
$\frac {\partial L}{\partial x} = mx \dot \theta^2 + mg\cos(\theta) - k(x - b)$
$\frac {d}{dt} \frac {\partial L}{\partial \dot x} = m \ddot x$

$\frac {d}{dt} \frac {\partial L}{\partial \dot x} - \frac {\partial L}{\partial x} = m \ddot x - mx \dot \theta^2 - mg\cos(\theta) + k(x - b) = 0$

Euler-Lagrangian for θ:
$\frac {\partial L}{\partial \theta} = -mgx\sin(\theta)$
$\frac {d}{dt} \frac {\partial L}{\partial \dot \theta} = m x^2 \ddot \theta + 2mx \dot x \dot \theta$

$\frac {d}{dt} \frac {\partial L}{\partial \dot \theta} - \frac {\partial L}{\partial \theta} = x \ddot \theta + 2 \dot x \dot \theta + g\sin(\theta) = 0$
 

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