AM’s Assignment on: CLASSICAL MECHANICS

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1.CONSTRAINTS & D’ALEMBERTS PRINCIPLE:

1.1 Find degrees of freedom and mention the types of constraints and try to set generalised co-ordinate for the
following:
(a) Two mass point connected by a massless rigid rod. (b) Two mass point connected by a massless rigid
rod moving on a plane. (b1) Two mass point connected by a massless rod of length l=f(t) (c) Two mass
point connected by a massless spring. (d) Two mass point connected by a massless rigid rod whose
centre of mass moves on a circle. (e) A di-atomic molecule within a container. (f) A particle moving on a
space curve. (f1) A particle sliding down the inner surface of a paraboloid of revolution having its
axis vertical and vertex downward with co-efficient of friction μ [ Note: Friction is dissipative i.e. non
conservative ] (g) A bead sliding on a wire which is rotating about a vertical axis. (g1) A bead constraint
to move on a circular (or may be elliptical) wire. (h) Three mass points connected by three rigid rods.
(i) A rigid body moving in space. (j) A rigid body rotating about an axis through the body. (k) A rigid
body fixed at a point in space. (k1) A rigid body with two points fixed. (l) A small sphere moving on the
surface of a large sphere. (m) A small sphere rolling down the surface of a large sphere. (m1) A sphere
rolling down another sphere which is rolling with uniform speed along horizontal plane [Note that here
constraint is Rheonomic. Non-holonomic ] (n) A disc rolling down an incline without slipping. (o) A
disc rolling down an incline with slipping. (o1) For a cone rolling on a horizontal plane. (p) For a simple
pendulum. (p1) For double pendulum moving on a plane. (p2) For conical pendulum. (p3) For a
compound pendulum (q) For two pendulum whose bob are connected by a massless spring. (r) For
Atwood’s machine. (s) For yo-yo.

1.2 Check whether the constraint given by (i) 𝑥𝑦̇ − 𝑦𝑥̇ = 0 𝑎𝑛𝑑 (𝑖𝑖) 𝑥𝑦̇ + 𝑦𝑥̇ = 0 are holonomic or not.
1.3 Find the equilibrium condition for the system shown. Also Apply D’Alembert’s
Principle to find the equation of motion.
m1 m2
[ Ans: m1sinα1 = m2sinα2 ;
α1 α2
𝒓𝟏̈ = ]

1.4 Two masses m1 and m2 are hanging from a pulley through an inextensible wire on a right angled triangular
plane. The mass m1 stays on the incline making an angle α with the horizontal plane while m2 hangs straight
down. Using D’Alembert’s Principle show that the masses will be in equilibrium if m2=m1sinα .
1.5 Show that if the incline has co-efficient of friction μ, the equilibrium condition will be given by

m2= m1(sinα – μcos α)

1.6 A body of mass ‘m’ rests on a frictionless incline making an angle α with horizontal plane. The incline has
been given acceleration on the vertical plane . Find the highest acceleration to be given to the incline so that
the body stays at rest. [Ans: a= gtanα ]
1.7 Solve the problem of Atwood’s machine using D’Alembert’s Principle.
1.8 A particle is constrained to move on the circumference of a circle. If no external force is acting on the particle,
show by using D’Alembert’s principle that the particle moves with uniform angular velocity.

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 AM’s Assignment on: CLASSICAL MECHANICS
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2. LAGRANGIAN and HAMILTONIAN DYNAMICS:

2.1 Show that Lagrangian and Newtonian equations are identical if generalised coordinates are rectangular
coordinates.
2.2 Verify that if we use 𝐿 = 𝑒 (𝑥̇ − 𝑝 𝑥 ), then Lagrange’s equation gives 𝑥̈ + 𝛼𝑥̇ + 𝑝 𝑥 = 0.

2.3 The Lagrangian of a particle of mass m moving in one dimension is given by = 𝑚𝑥̇ − 𝑏𝑥 , where b is a

positive constant. Show that The coordinate of the particle is 𝑥(𝑡) = − 𝑡 +𝐶 𝑡+𝐶 .

2.4 Find the equation of motion for a system with time dependent Lagrangian 𝐿 = 𝑒 𝑚𝑥̇ − 𝑏𝑥 .

[ Ans: 𝑚𝑥̈ + 𝛾𝑚𝑥̇ + =0 ]

2.5 Set up the Lagrangian for a simple pendulum and obtain the equation of motion.
2.6 Find Lagrange’s equation for a simple pendulum which is hanging from a mass M which is again moving
along x direction (horizontal) according to 𝑥 = 𝑎𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜔𝑡.
2.7 Find Lagrange’s equation for a simple pendulum which is hanging from a mass M which is again moving
along y direction (vertical) according to y= 𝑎𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜔𝑡.
2.8 Solve the problem of Atwood’s machine using Lagrange’s equation.
2.9 Set up Lagrange’s equation for 1D, 2D, 3D harmonic oscillator.
2.10 Find the Lagrangian and solve Lagrange’s equation for a simple pendulum hanging from a spring of rest
length 𝑙 .

[Ans: 𝑚𝜃̈ + 𝑔𝜃 = 0 ; 𝑦̈ + 𝑦−𝑔 = 0 ]

2.11 Set up Lagrangian and obtain Lagrange’s equations for a freely falling particle of mass ‘m’ under the action
of gravitation.
2.12 Set up Lagrangian and obtain Lagrange’s equations for a freely falling particle of mass ‘m’ under the action
of gravitational force which is varying inversely with the square of the distance from a fixed point O
assuming that the particle moves in a straight line through O.
2.13 Suppose that the point of suspension of a simple pendulum is not fixed but attached to a moving lift which
falls with an acceleration f . Find the equation of motion using Lagrange’s formulation.
2.14 A particle is constrained to be in a plane. It is subjected to a force directed to a fixed point P on the plane
and is inversely proportional to the square if the distance from P.
(i) Using polar coordinates , write the Lagrangian of this particle.
(ii) Write the Lagrange’s equations for this particle and find out at least one first integral.
2.15 Consider two particles interacting by the way of central force. Obtain the Lagrangian of the centre of mass
system and show that the energy and angular momentum are conserved.

2.16 A particle moves in a potential 𝑉 = 𝑥 + 𝑦 + , among Lx, Ly ,Lz , which component of angular momentum

is constant of motion? [ Ans: Lz ]

2.17 Use Lagrange’s equation to describe motion of a projectile.
2.18 Find Lagrangian of a charged particle moving in a electromagnetic field.
2.19 Find Lagrangian for LC circuit.

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2.20 Use Lagrange’s equation to find the differential equation for a compound pendulum which oscillates in a
vertical plane about a fixed horizontal axis.

[ Ans: 𝜃̈ + 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 = 0 ]

2.21 Use Lagrange’s equation to find motion of a particle sliding down a frictionless incline.
2.22 A bead slides on a smooth rod which is rotating about one end in a vertical plane with uniform angular
velocity w. Find the equation of motion.
[ Ans: 𝑚𝑟̈ = 𝑚𝑟𝜔 − 𝑚𝑔𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜔𝑡 ]
2.23 A bead slides on a smooth uniform circular wire of radius r which is rotating with angular velocity w about
a fixed vertical diameter. Find the Lagrangian and equation of motion.

[ Ans: 𝜃̈ − 𝜔 sin 2 𝜃 − =0]

2.24 A bead slides without friction on a frictionless wire in the shape of a cycloid with equations
𝑥 = 𝑎(𝜃 − 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃), 𝑦 = 𝑎(1 + 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃), 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 0 ≤ 𝜃 ≤ 2𝜋. Find the Lagrangian and the equation of motion.

Show that the equation of motion can be written as + 𝑢 = 0 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑢 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 Hence, show that the

bead oscillates with period 2𝜋 4𝑎/𝑔 .

2.25 Discuss the motion of a particle of mass ‘m’ moving on the surface of a cone of half angle 𝜃 and subject to
the gravitational force only.

[ Ans: 𝑟̈ − 𝑟𝜃̇ 𝑠𝑖𝑛 ∅ + 𝑔𝑐𝑜𝑠∅𝑠𝑖𝑛∅ = 0 ; 𝐽 = 𝑚𝑟 𝜃̇ = 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡. ]

2.26 A particle of mass ‘m’ is constrained to move inside a thin hollow frictionless tube which is rotating with
constant angular velocity w in a horizontal xy plane about a fixed vertical axis through O. Using Lagrange’s
equations, describe the motion.
2.27 The Lagrangian of a system is 𝐿 = 𝜃̇ + ∅̇ 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃 + (𝜑̇ + ∅̇ 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃) where A,B are constants. Write

down the expression for the conserved quantities.

2.28 Consider a particle moving with velocity v with respect to a frame S’ which is rotating with respect to an
inertial frame S with constant angular velocity w . The velocity of the particle w.r.t S is given by 𝑢⃗ = 𝑣⃗ +
𝑤⃗ + 𝑟⃗. (i) Write down the Lagrangian of the system. (ii) Obtain the expression for Corioli’s force (iii) Also
obtain the velocity dependent potential found by the observer in S’
2.29 Find the Lagrangian at a rotating frame and show that Lagrange’s equation leads to concept of several
pseudo forces. Can you identify the forces?
2.30 Set up Lagrangian for a Symmetrical top and obtain equation of motion.
2.31 Derive Euler’s equations of motion for rigid body by the use of Lagrange’s equations.
2.32 Prove directly i.e. without using Euler’s theorem, that if the transformation relations does not involve time

t, and if T is kinetic energy, then 𝑞̇ ̇

+ 𝑞̇ ̇
+ 𝑞̇ ̇
+∙ ⋯ + 𝑞̇ ̇
= 2𝑇

2.33 Use Lagrange’s equations to describe motion of a small sphere of radius ‘a’ rolling on the inner surface of a
smooth hollow hemisphere of radius b>a.
2.34 A bead of mass ‘m’ is constrained to move on a frictionless horizontal circular wire of radius a which is
rotating with angular velocity w about a fixed vertical axis passing through a point on the wire. Prove that
relative to the wire, the bead oscillates like a simple pendulum.
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2.35 A frictionless horizontal plane has a small opening at O. A string of length l which passes through O has at
its ends a particle P of mass m and a particle Q of equal mass which hangs freely. The particle P is given an
initial velocity of magnitude v0 atr right angles to the string OP when the length OP=a . Let r be the
instantaneous distance OP while θ is the angle between OP and some fixed line through O. (a) Set up the
Lagrangian of the system. (b)Write a differential equation for the motion of P in terms of r. (c) Find the
speed of P at any position.

[ Ans: b. 𝑟̈ = −𝑔 c. 𝑟̇ = 2𝑎𝑣 + 2𝑔(𝑎 − 𝑟) − 2 ]

2.36 A vertical spring has constant K and mass M. If a mass ‘m’ is placed on the spring and set into motion, use
Lagrange’s equations to prove that the system will move with simple harmonic motion of period
2𝜋 (𝑀 + 3𝑚)/3𝐾 .
2.37 A small bead of mass M is initially at rest on a horizontal wire and is attached to a point on the wire by a
massless spring of spring constant k and unstretched length a. A mass m is freely suspended from the bead
at the end of a wire of length 2b. For the linear displacement of spring, obtain the Lagrangian and the
equation of motion.
2.38 Two mass point m1 and m2 are connected by a string of length l passing through a hole in a horizontal table.
The String and mass points move without friction with m1 on the table and m2free to move in a vertical line.
(i) What initial velocity must m1 be given so that m2 will remain motionless a distance d below the surface
of the table. (ii) If m2 is slightly displaced in a vertical direction, small oscillations ensue . Use Lagrange’s
equations to find the period of these oscillations.
2.39 Find the equation of motion of a particle of mass ‘m’ constrained to move on a smooth horizontal table
under the action of a spring of spring constant K. In the system, a string attached to the particle passes
through a hole in the table and is connected to the spring. Assume the spring is unstretched, when m is at
the hole.

[ Ans:𝑚𝑟̈ − 𝑚𝑟𝜃̇ + 𝑘𝑟 = 0 𝑎𝑛𝑑 (𝑚𝑟 𝜃)̇ = 0 ]

2.40 A mass m is free to slide on a frictionless table and is connected via a string that through a hole in the table
, to a mass M that hangs below. Assume that M moves on a vertical line only, and assume that the string
always remains taut. (a) Find the equation of motion for the variable r and θ on the table. (b) Under what
condition does m undergo circular motion? (c) What is the frequency of the small oscillations (in the
variable r ) about this circular motion?

[ Ans: 𝑚𝑟 𝜃̇ = 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡. , (𝑀 + 𝑚)𝑟̈ = 𝑚𝑟𝜃̇ − 𝑚𝑔 ; (𝑏)𝑟̇ = 𝑟̈ = 0 ; (𝑐) 𝜔 =

, 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑟 𝑖𝑠 𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑢𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑐𝑖𝑟𝑐𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑟 𝑜𝑟𝑏𝑖𝑡 ]

2.41 A pendulum consists of a mass m and a massless stick of length l. The pendulum support oscillates
horizontally with a position given by x(t)= Acoswt. What is general solution for the angle of the pendulum
as a function of time?

[Ans: (𝑡) = 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑤𝑡 + 𝐶𝑐𝑜𝑠(𝑤 𝑡 + ∅); 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑖𝑠 𝜃̈ + 𝑤 𝜃 = 𝑎𝑤 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑤𝑡 ]

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2.42 Two equal mass m, connected by a massless string, hang over two pulleys (of negligible size). The left one
moves on a vertical line, but the right one is free to swing back and forth in the plane of masses and the
pulleys . Find the equation of motion for r and θ. Assume that the left mass starts at rest and right mass
undergoes small oscillations with angular amplitude α (with α<<1). What is the initial average
acceleration (Averaged over a few periods) of the left mass? In which direction does it move?

[Ans: 𝑟̈ = ]

2.43 A bead is free to slide along a frictionless hoop of radius R. The hoop rotates with constant angular speed w
around a vertical diameter. Find the equation of motion for the angle θ made by the position vector with
the axis of rotation. What are the equilibrium positions? What is the frequency of small oscillation about
stable equilibrium position? There is one value of w that is rather special; what is it, and why is it special?

[Ans: frequency= 𝑤 − 𝑔 /𝑤 𝑅 ]

2.44 A simple pendulum is attached to a support which is driven horizontally with time.
(i) Set up the Lagrangian for the system in terms of generalised coordinates θ and y where θ is the
angular displacement from equilibrium position and y(t) is the horizontal position of the
pendulum support.
(ii) Find the equation of motion for θ.
(iii) For small angular displacement and a sinusoidal motion of the support y=y0coswt, obtain the
steady state solution to the equation of motion.
2.45 A pendulum consists of a mass ‘m’ suspended by a massless spring with unstretched length l and spring
constant k. The pendulum’s point of support rises vertically with constant acceleration f.
(i) Using Lagrangian method find the equation of motion.
(ii) Determine the Hamiltonian and Hamilton’s equation of motion.
(iii) What is period of small oscillation?
2.46 Find Hamiltonian for the cases for which Lagrangian is
̇
(a) − 𝑉(𝑥)

(b) 𝐿 = 𝑚𝑞̇ − 𝑞𝑞̇ [𝐻= ( )

]

(c) 𝐿 = 𝑚𝑥̇ + 𝑚𝑥̇ 𝑦̇ [ 𝐴𝑛𝑠: 𝐻 = 𝑃𝑃 − 𝑝 ]

2.47 Hamiltonian of a relativistic particle of rest mass m and momentum P is given by 𝐻 = √𝑃 + 𝑚 + 𝑉(𝑥), in
units in which speed of light c=1. Show that the corresponding Lagrangian is 𝐿 = −𝑚√1 − 𝑥̇ − 𝑉(𝑥)

2.48 A system has 𝐻 = 𝑝 𝑞 , Show that a solution of Hamiltonian equation is 𝑝 = 𝐴𝑒 , 𝑞= 𝑒

2.49 The Classical interaction between two inert gas atoms, each of mass m, is given by 𝑉(𝑟) = − + where

A,B >0 and 𝑟 = |𝑟⃗ − 𝑟⃗| .

(i) Give the Hamiltonian for the system of two atoms .
(ii) Describe completely the lowest energy classical state(s) of this system.

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(iii) If the energy is slightly higher than the lowest, what are possible frequencies of motion of the
system?
2.50 Consider a particle of mass m constrained to move on the surface of a sphere of radius R. There are no
external force of any kind on the particle.
(i) Find Lagrangian and hence, Hamiltonian of the system. Is Hamiltonian conserved?
(ii) Prove that the motion of the particle is along a great circle of the sphere.
2.51 Consider the Lagrangian 𝐿 = 𝑚𝑒 (𝑥̇ − 𝜔 𝑥 ) for motion of a particle of mass ‘m’ in one dimension(x).

The constants m,α,w are positive

(i) Find the equation of motion.
(ii) Interpret the equation of motion by stating the kind of force to which the particle is subjected.
(iii) Find the canonical momentum and from this, construct the Hamiltonian function.
(iv) Is the Hamiltonian a constant of motion? Is the energy conserved? Explain.
2.52
2.53
2.54

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