Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad

Department of Physics
Classical Mechanics, EP2100/PH5110
End-sem exam, Aug − Nov 2021

Answer all the questions

Time: 1 14 hours
Maximum marks: 50

1. Using the matrix transformations, show that the components of the angular velocity
along the space set of axes are given in terms of the Euler angles by

ωx = θ̇ cos φ + ψ̇ sin θ sin φ,

ωy = θ̇ sin φ − ψ̇ sin θ cos φ,
ωz = ψ̇ cos θ + φ̇

(12 marks)

2. Consier potential energy between a point mass M and a mass distribution. Show
that the gravitational torque on the mass distribution is zero if it is an exact sphere,
otherwise, there can be a net gravitational torque on that.
Hint: You can use
∞
1 X
√ = tn Pn (x), |t| < 1.
1 − 2xt + t2 n=0
Z 1
P0 (x) = 1, Pn (x)Pm (x)dx = 0 for n 6= m.
−1

(12 marks)

3. Two particles move in one dimension at the junction of three springs, which are fixed
between two walls, as shown in the figure. The springs all have unstretched lengths
equal to a, and the force constants and masses are shown. Find the eigenfrequencies
and noraml modes of the system.
k 3k k

a m a m a

(14 marks)
4. (a) Let the Lagrangian of a system is L = L0 (q, t) + q̇i ai (q, t) + 21 q̇i Tij (q, t)q̇j , where
Tij (q, t) = Tji (q, t). Using the above Lagrangian, find the conjugate momentum
pi corresponding to qi and also ṗi .
(b) Find the Hamiltonian of the system in part (a). Using the Hamilton’s equations,
show that the expressions for pi and ṗi are same as that were found in part (a).
(12 marks)