PHY 101: Classical Quantum and Relativistic Mechanics

Assignment 1 [Coordinate systems, Degrees of freedom, Principle of Virtual Work]

Assigned: 12 Aug 2019 Submission: 23 Aug 2019

Write clearly the answers to the following questions in loose A4 size sheets and tie/staple them
together. Write in the top sheet your Name, Roll no, Serial no with batch ID. You need to submit
the assignment to the tutors of the respective sections during the tutorials on or before 23 Aug 2019,
4:30 PM.

Problem 1 Consider a sphere of radius R. In the spherical polar coordinate if we choose a

particular value for any coordinate, it gives a surface. Two such surfaces can form an envelop which
enclose a volume. Find the surface area/volume enclosed by envelopes with θ = 0◦ and 30◦ , θ = 30◦ to
60◦ . Repeat the same exercise for envelopes with same azimuthal angle separation ie., φ = 0◦ to 30◦
and φ = 30◦ to 60◦ . Compare the area/volume you get in different cases. Sketch the envelopes.
Problem 2 A particle is moving on top of a 2-dimensional. plane with its coordinates given in
cartesian system as
x(t) = a sin ωt, y(t) = a cos ωt.
Express the motion of the particle in terms of polar coordinates (ρ, φ). What is the minimum number
of generalised coordinates required to describe. its motion? Draw the. trajectory of the particle.
Now if the particle trajectory is changed to the followings, repeat the exercise.
x(t) = 2a sin ωt, y(t) = a cos 2ωt

Problem 3 A particle moves in a plane with constant radial velocity ṙ = 4 m s−1 starting from
origin. The angular velocity is constant and the magnitude is θ̇ = 2 rad s−1 . When the particle is 3 m
from the origin, find the magnitude of (a) the velocity and (b) the acceleration.

P. T.O.

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23 Aug 2019 – Assignment 1 2

Problem 4

Figure 1 (left): For this static system, find the equation of constrain, and the condition for
equilibrium using the principal of virtual work.
Figure 1 (right): Find the degree(s) of freedom and the type of constraint. Show using the
principal of virtual work: m2 = γm1 /2 where γ is the coefficient of friction.

Problem 5 A bicycle rider has M . The wheels of the bicycle are at distance l apart and horizontal
distance between the seat and the rear wheel is d. Use principle of virtual work to find the normal
reactions on the base of the two wheels when the rider is riding steadily.

Write clearly the answers to the above questions in loose A4 size sheets and tie/staple them together.
Write in the top sheet your Name, Roll no, Serial no with batch ID. You need to submit the
assignment to the tutors of the respective sections during the tutorials on or before 23 Aug 2019,
4:30 PM.