DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS

INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, MADRAS

EP2102 Classical Dynamics Problem Set 3 30.8.2017

1. The center of a long frictionless rod is pivoted at the origin, and the rod
is forced to rotate in a horizontal plane with constant angular velocity ω.
Write down the Lagrangian for a bead threaded on the rod, using r as
your generalized coordinate, where (r, ϕ) are the polar coordinates of the
bead. Solve the Lagrange’s equation for r(t).

2. A simple pendulum (of mass M and length L) is suspanded from a cart

(of mass m) that can oscillate on the end of a spring of force constant
k. Write the Lagrangian in terms of suitable generalized coordinates and
find the Lagrange’s equations.

3. Two blocks each of mass M are connected by an extensionless, uniform

string of length `. One block is placed on a smooth horizontal surface and
the other block hangs over the side with string passing over a frictionless
pulley. Describe the motion of the system when

(a) the mass of the string is negligible.

(b) the string has mass m.

4. Consider a system with two degrees of freedom for which the potential
energy is given by
1 1
V (x, y) = a(x2 + y 2 ) + b(x − y)2
2 2
Determine the eigenfrequencies and normal modes of vibrations for the
system.

5. Find the normal coordinates for a system with potential energy

1
V (x, y, z) = (x2 + y 2 + z 2 − 2axy − 2byz − 2czx).
2
What happens when a = b = c?