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Problem Set 1

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31 views2 pages

Problem Set 1

Uploaded by

Satya
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Classical Mechanics(PH508)

Problem Set 1
1. Consider a projectile fired vertically in a constant gravitational field. For the same
initial velocities, compare the times required for the projectile to reach its maximum
height
1. for zero resisting force
2. for a resisting force proportional to the instantaneous velocity of the projectile.
2. A particle of mass m slides down an inclined plane under the influence of gravity.
If the motion is resisted by a force f = kmv 2 , show that the time required to move
a distance d after starting from rest is
cosh−1 (ed k )
t= √
kg sin θ

kx3
3. A particle is under the influence of a force F = −kx + , where k and α are
α2
constants and k is positive. Determine the potential U (x) and discuss the motion.
What happens when E = (1/4) kα2 ?
4. The speed of a particle of mass m varies with the distance x as v(x) = αx−n . Assume
v(x = 0) = 0 at t = 0.
1. Find the force F (x) responsible.
2. Determine x(t) and F (t)
5. A particle of mass m moves along a trajectory given by x = x0 cos ω1 t, y = y0 sin ω2 t.
1. Find the x and y components of the force.
2. Find the potential energy as a function of x and y.
3. Determine the kinetic energy of the particle. Show that the total energy of the
particle is conserved.
6. If L is a Lagrangian for a system of n degrees of freedom satisfying Lagrange’s
equations, show by direct substitution that
dF (q1 , ....., qn , t)
L′ = L +
dt
also satisfies Lagrange’s equations where F is any arbitrary, but differentiable, func-
tion of its arguments.
7. A Lagrangian for a particular physical system can be written as
m K
L′ = (aẋ2 + 2bẋẏ + cẏ 2 ) − (ax2 + 2bxy + cy 2 )
2 2
where a, b and c are arbitrary constants but subject to the condition that b2 − ac ̸=
0. What are the equations of motion? Examine particularly the two cases a=c=0
and b=0, c=-a. What is the physical system described by the above Lagrangian?
Show that the usual Lagrangian for this system (of the form L = T − V ) is related
to L′ by a point transformation.

8. A particle of mass m moves in one dimension such that it has the Lagrangian

m2 ẋ4
L= + mẋ2 V (x) − V 2 (x)
12
where V is some differentiable function of x. Find the equation of motion for x(t)
and describe the physical nature of the system on the basis of this equation.

9. A disk rolls without slipping across a horizontal plane. The plane of the disk re-
mains vertical, but it is free to rotate about a vertical axis. How many generalized
coordinates are necessary to completely describe the disk?

10. Two points of mass m are joined by a rigid weightless rod of length l, the center of
which is constrained to move on a circle of radius a. Express the kinetic energy in
generalized coordinates.

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