A particle of mass m moves in one dimension such that it has the La-

grangian
m2 ẋ4
L= = mẋ2 V (x) − V2 (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

ANSWER:

Find the equations of motion from Euler-Lagrange formulation.

∂L
= mẋ2 V 0 (x) − 2V (x)V 0 (x)
∂x
∂L m2 ẋ3
= + 2mẋV (x)
∂ ẋ 3
d ∂L
= m2 ẋ2 ẍ + 2mV (x)ẍ
dt ∂ ẋ
Thus
mẋ2 V 0 + 2V V 0 + m2 ẋ2 ẍ + 2mV ẍ = 0
the equation of motion. Interpret it by dividing by 2 and separating out
1
2
mv 2 and ma0 s
mẋ2 0 mẋ2
V +VV0+ mẍ + mẍV = 0
2 2
Pull V 0 terms together and mẍ terms together:
mẋ2 mẋ2
( + V )V 0 + mẍ( +V)=0
2 2
Therefore:
mẋ2
( + V )(mẍ + V 0 ) = 0
2
2
Now this looks like E· E 0 = 0 because E = m2ẋ + V (x). That would mean
d 2
E = 2EE 0 = 0
dt
Which allows us to see that E 2 is a constant. If E = 0 at t = 0 then
E = 0 for all times. If E 6= 0 at t = 0 then E 6= 0 all other times while
mẍ + V 0 = 0.