What is the binding force for a falling disk with string?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on analyzing the motion of a falling disk with a massless rope tied to the ceiling, using Lagrange's equations. The participants explore the relationship between the translational and rotational motion of the disk, particularly through the constraint function G(φ, y) = y + aφ. They derive equations of motion for the variables y and φ, ultimately concluding that the binding force can be expressed in terms of the Lagrange multiplier λ. The final equations suggest that the binding force is influenced by gravitational acceleration and the geometry of the system, with specific values for λ and the accelerations of y and φ. The conversation emphasizes the importance of correctly applying Lagrangian mechanics to solve the problem.
Vrbic
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Homework Statement


Let's have a disk of mass ##m## and radius ##a## and massless rope tangled in it. One end of rope is tied to the ceiling and the disk is falling freely down. System has one degree of freedom. As a coordinate we can choose angle ## \phi## which says an angle of rotation from the start position. Find from the Lagrange equations of the first kind equation of motion and binding force.

Homework Equations


$$m\ddot{x}=F_x+\lambda\frac{\partial G}{\partial x}$$
$$m\ddot{y}=F_y+\lambda\frac{\partial G}{\partial y}$$
where G is binding function.

The Attempt at a Solution


I see that kinetic translation and rotation energy is connected. Probably by ## y=-a \phi## (##\dot{y}=-a\dot{\phi}## ) but generally I don't know what is my G function. I have seen a problem with pendulum or problem falling from ball where this functions are easy to guess. Please give me a kick.

Thank you.
 
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Vrbic said:

Homework Equations


$$m\ddot{x}=F_x+\lambda\frac{\partial G}{\partial x}$$
$$m\ddot{y}=F_y+\lambda\frac{\partial G}{\partial y}$$
where G is binding function.
For this problem, you are working with the two variables ##\phi## and ##y## rather than ##x## and ##y##.

3. The Attempt at a Solution
I see that kinetic translation and rotation energy is connected. Probably by ## y=-a \phi## (##\dot{y}=-a\dot{\phi}## ) but generally I don't know what is my G function.
You can rearrange your constraint condition as ##y + a \phi = 0##. Thus, you can choose ##G( \phi, y) = y + a \phi ##.
 
Vrbic said:
tangled in it
Do you mean wrapped around it?
 
haruspex said:
Do you mean wrapped around it?
Yes.
 
TSny said:
For this problem, you are working with the two variables ##\phi## and ##y## rather than ##x## and ##y##.You can rearrange your constraint condition as ##y + a \phi = 0##. Thus, you can choose ##G( \phi, y) = y + a \phi ##.
Ok I have some attemp of solution but I mean the result is wrong:
##G=y+a\phi=0## ,+ because of it goes against y direction
##m\ddot{y}=F_g+\lambda\frac{\partial G}{\partial y}=-mg +\lambda##
##m\ddot{\phi}=0+\lambda\frac{\partial G}{\partial \phi}=\lambda a##
Now I want find out ##\lambda ## =>
##\ddot{y}+a\ddot{\phi}=0 ##
##\ddot{y}=-g+\frac{\lambda}{m} ##
##a\ddot{\phi}=\frac{\lambda a^2}{m} ##
________________________________
##\ddot{y}+a\ddot{\phi}=0=-g+\frac{\lambda (a^2+1)}{m}## => ##\lambda=\frac{gm}{a^2+1} ##
##m\ddot{y}=-mg +\frac{gm}{a^2+1}##
##m\ddot{\phi}=\frac{gm}{a^2+1} a##
 
Vrbic said:
Ok I have some attemp of solution but I mean the result is wrong:
##G=y+a\phi=0## ,+ because of it goes against y direction
##m\ddot{y}=F_g+\lambda\frac{\partial G}{\partial y}=-mg +\lambda##
##m\ddot{\phi}=0+\lambda\frac{\partial G}{\partial \phi}=\lambda a##
The last equation (for ##\ddot {\phi})## is not correct. ##\phi## is an angular coordinate rather than a Cartesian coordinate, like ##x## or ##y##.
Do you know how to get the equation of motion for ##\phi## starting from the Lagrangian?
 
TSny said:
The last equation (for ##\ddot {\phi})## is not correct. ##\phi## is an angular coordinate rather than a Cartesian coordinate, like ##x## or ##y##.
Do you know how to get the equation of motion for ##\phi## starting from the Lagrangian?
It seems very reasonable. I believe I can manipulate with lagrangian :) For me is more familiar deal with Lagrange equation of second kind. So in this point of view I take a Lagrangian ##L=T+V=T_t+T_{rot} - V=\frac{1}{2}m\dot{y}^2 + \frac{1}{2}J\dot{\phi}^2 - mgy=\frac{1}{2}m\dot{y}^2 + \frac{1}{4}m a ^2\dot{\phi}^2 - mgy## =>
##\frac{d}{dt}\frac{\partial L}{\partial \dot{\phi}} - \frac{\partial L}{\partial \phi} =\frac{1}{2}m a ^2\ddot{\phi}=0 ##. ##\phi## isn't there but I feel it should be there probably due the constrain...or I don't know.
On the other hand in problem is written they want Lagrange equation of 1. kind...
 
Lagrange's equation for ##\phi## with constraint ##G(\phi, y) = 0## is $$\frac{d}{dt} \frac{\partial L}{\partial \dot \phi} - \frac{\partial L}{\partial \phi} = \lambda \frac{\partial G}{\partial \phi}$$
 
TSny said:
Lagrange's equation for ##\phi## with constraint ##G(\phi, y) = 0## is $$\frac{d}{dt} \frac{\partial L}{\partial \dot \phi} - \frac{\partial L}{\partial \phi} = \lambda \frac{\partial G}{\partial \phi}$$
I see... so my equations of 1. kind are
##m\ddot{y}+mg=\lambda ##
##\frac{ma^2\ddot{\phi}}{2}=\lambda a##
## y+a\phi=0## do you agree?
 
  • #10
Vrbic said:
I see... so my equations of 1. kind are
##m\ddot{y}+mg=\lambda ##
##\frac{ma^2\ddot{\phi}}{2}=\lambda a##
## y+a\phi=0## do you agree?
##\ddot{y}=-g+\lambda/m##
##a\ddot{\phi}=2\lambda/m##
##\ddot{y}+a\ddot{\phi}=-g+3\lambda/m=0##=>##\lambda=gm/3 ##, ##\ddot{\phi}=\frac{2g}{3a} ## and ## \ddot{y}=-\frac{2g}{3}##.
A binding force is ##\vec{F}_B=\lambda(\frac{\partial G}{\partial y},\frac{\partial G}{\partial \phi})## ?
 
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