Scribd
Upload
90 views2 pages

Lagrangian

The document presents three problems involving the derivation of equations of motion using the Lagrangian method. Problem 1 discusses a simple pendulum, leading to the equation θ̈ + (g/l) sin θ = 0. Problems 2 and 3 both address a particle in a potential and a mass-spring system, respectively, both yielding the same equation for a simple harmonic oscillator: mẍ + kx = 0.

Uploaded by

aizu50troll
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
90 views2 pages

Lagrangian

The document presents three problems involving the derivation of equations of motion using the Lagrangian method. Problem 1 discusses a simple pendulum, leading to the equation θ̈ + (g/l) sin θ = 0. Problems 2 and 3 both address a particle in a potential and a mass-spring system, respectively, both yielding the same equation for a simple harmonic oscillator: mẍ + kx = 0.

Uploaded by

aizu50troll
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 2

Problem 1: Simple Pendulum

Problem Statement: Find the equation of motion for a simple pendulum of


length l and mass m using the Lagrangian method.
Solution: The Lagrangian L is defined as L = T − V , where T is the kinetic
energy and V is the potential energy.
1. Kinetic Energy (T ): The velocity of the pendulum bob is v = lθ̇, so:
1 1 1
T = mv 2 = m(lθ̇)2 = ml2 θ̇2 .
2 2 2
2. Potential Energy (V ): The height of the bob is h = l(1 − cos θ), so:

V = mgh = mgl(1 − cos θ).

3. Lagrangian:
1 2 2
L=T −V = ml θ̇ − mgl(1 − cos θ).
2
4. Euler-Lagrange Equation:
 
d ∂L ∂L
− = 0.
dt ∂ θ̇ ∂θ

Compute the derivatives:


 
∂L d ∂L
= ml2 θ̇, = ml2 θ̈,
∂ θ̇ dt ∂ θ̇
∂L
= −mgl sin θ.
∂θ
Substituting into the Euler-Lagrange equation:

ml2 θ̈ + mgl sin θ = 0.

Simplifying, we get the equation of motion:


g
θ̈ + sin θ = 0.
l

Problem 2: Particle in a Potential


Problem Statement: A particle of mass m moves in one dimension under the
influence of a potential V (x) = 21 kx2 . Derive its equation of motion using the
Lagrangian.
Solution: 1. Kinetic Energy (T ):
1
T = mẋ2 .
2

1
2. Potential Energy (V ):
1 2
V = kx .
2
3. Lagrangian:
1 1
L=T −V = mẋ2 − kx2 .
2 2
4. Euler-Lagrange Equation:
 
d ∂L ∂L
− = 0.
dt ∂ ẋ ∂x

Compute the derivatives:


 
∂L d ∂L
= mẋ, = mẍ,
∂ ẋ dt ∂ ẋ

∂L
= −kx.
∂x
Substituting into the Euler-Lagrange equation:

mẍ + kx = 0.

This is the equation for a simple harmonic oscillator.

Problem 3: Mass-Spring System


Problem Statement: A mass m is attached to a spring with constant k,
sliding horizontally without friction. Find the equation of motion using the
Lagrangian.
Solution: This is identical to Problem 2 since the system is the same (a
harmonic oscillator). The Lagrangian approach yields:

mẍ + kx = 0.

You might also like