PH-512 Classical Mechanics,

Assignment #1
Due Date: Monday, September 5, 2016
1. A coplanar double pendulum

Find Lagrangian and equations of motion for the system, when placed in uniform gravitational
Field g.
2. A simple pendulum of mass m2, with a mass m1 at the point of support which can move
on horizontal line lying in the plane in which m2 moves (see figure below)

Find Lagrangian and equations of motion for the system, when placed in uniform gravitational
Field g.

3. A simple pendulum of mass m whose point of support (a) moves uniformly on a vertical
i le ith o sta t f e ue
see figu e elo ,
os illates ho izo tall i the
plane of motion of the pendulum according to the law = cos , (c) oscillates
vertically according to the law = cos ,

4. The system shown in figure below, particle of mass m 2 moves on a vertical axis and the
hole s ste otates a out this a is ith a o sta t a gula elo it .

5. If L is a Lagrangian for a system of n degrees of freedom satisfying Lagrange's equations,

show by direct substitution that
,, ,

= +

Also satisfies Lagrange's equations where F is any arbitrary, but differentiable, function of its
arguments.
6. A Lagrangian for a particular physical system can be written as

Where a, b, and care arbitrary constants but subject to the condition that 2
0 what are
the equations of motion? Examine particularly the two cases a = 0 = c and b = 0, c = a. What
is the physical system described by the above Lagrangian?

7. What is/are the benefits of Lagrangian formulation over Newtonian formulation

according to you, explain by providing an example?
8. Explain the following terms/concepts
a) D'Alemberts Principle
b) Virtual Displacement
c) Generalized Coordinate
d) Generalized Force
e) Generalized Potential
In your language, do not exactly copy from book.