Problem Set 6
Problem Set 6
Problem Set 6
1. Fermat’s principle
A light beam is propagating in the x − y plane in a media whose refraction
index n depends only on y.
(a) Use Fermat’s principle to show that the trajectory of the beam from
(x0 , y0 ) to (x1 , y1 ) may be obtained by minimizing the functional
Z x1
1
−1
S(y) = c n(y)[(1 + y 02 )] 2 dx
x0
Euler-Lagrange Equation
2. Motion in two dimensions
Consider a particle of mass m moving in the (x, y) plane under the influence
of the potential V (r) where r is the postion vector of the particle in an
inertial reference frame.
Construct the Lagrangian and the Hamiltonian of the particle in polar co-
ordinates r, θ, hence find which quantities are constants of motion.
4. A sliding block
A block of mass m slides on a frictionless inclined plane of mass M , which
itself rests on a horizontal frictionless surface.
(a) Choose the displacement of the inclined plane x and the displacement
of the block relative to the inclined plane s as generalized coordinates and
find the Lagrangian of the system.
(b) Write down the E-L equation for each coordinate and find the accel-
eration of the inclined plane.
1
5. Atwood’s machine
The three masses shown move in a vertical plane under the influence of
constant gravity and the tension in the unextendable strings. Assuming
that the pulleys are massless and that all friction forces can be neglected:
(a) Write down the constraints equation in terms of z1 , z2 and z3 that
result from the fixed length of the strings, each length L, hence show that the
motion of the three masses may be described by two generalized coordinates.
(b) Use the E-L equation to find the acceleration of each mass.
(c) Find the tensions in the two strings; hence show the tension in the
upper string is twice that of the lower.
Why does the upper pulley rotate despite the fact that the masses on
either side are equal?
2
9. Normal modes
Two equal masses m are connected by two massless springs of force constants
k1 and k2 as shown, and are free to move in the x direction. The system is
placed on a horizontal frictionless table and attached to the wall.
(a) Write the Lagrangian of the system using the coordinates x1 and x2
that give the displacements of the masses from their equilibrium positions.
Use the E-L equations to find the equation of motion of each mass.
(b) Find the solutions in which the two masses execute simple harmonic
oscillations at the same frequency (normal modes). What are the common
angular frequencies of oscillation for the special cases k1 k2 and k1 k2 .
Additional questions
11. A small uniform cylinder of radius a rolls without slipping on the inside
of a large, fixed cylinder of radius b (b ≥ a). Use the E-L equation to show
that the period of small oscillations of the rolling cylinder is that of a simple
pendulum of length 3(b − a)/2.
3
14.* Rotating bead
A bead of mass m is constrained to slide on a frictionless wire which is
made to rotate about a vertical axis at an angular velocity ω. The wire is
tilted away from the vertical by an angle θ and the location of the bead is
measured by the coordinate r.
(a) Write down the equation of motion of the bead using the E-L equa-
tion. Test the integrity of your equation by taking extreme values of θ.
(b) Find the general solution assuming that at t = 0, r = r0 , ṙ = 0.
Based on this solution, show that for r0 = g cos θ/ω 2 sin2 θ, the bead moves
in circular motion. Describe the motion for r < r0 and r > r0 .
(c) Which of the following quantities is a constant of the bead motion:
angular momentum with respect to the origin, the Hamiltonian, total en-
ergy?