Additional Examples: Solution
Additional Examples: Solution
3- Let S be the system shown in Figure fig.3 The rail is smooth and the prescribed
force F(t) acts on the particle P2 as shown. Gravity is absent. Find the Lagrange
equations for S.
Solution
S is a standard system with two degrees of freedom. The new feature is the
prescribed
external force F(t) acting on P2. This time dependent force cannot be represented
by a potential energy and so the generalized forces {Qj } must be evaluated direct
from the definition. (Systems with moving constraints)
Take generalized coordinates x, θ as shown and let the corresponding generalised
forces be called Qx , Qθ . Then, since S has just two particles,
Systems with moving constraints: there is many cases in physics were the
constraint are moving i.e. r(q1,q2,…..,qn,q.)
• Systems in which particles are forced to move in a prescribed manner.
• Systems in which particles are forced to remain on boundaries that move in a
prescribed manner.
• Systems in which the motion is viewed from a frame of reference that is
accelerating or rotating in a prescribed manner.
s o there are only two degrees of freedom for the system, and therefore only two proper generalized coordinates.
We may use Equation 7.26 to eliminate either the coordinate z or r; we choose to do the former. Then the square
of the velocity is
so the Lagrangian is