DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS

INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, MADRAS

PH5820 Classical Physics Problem Set 2

1. Show that the shortest path between any two points on a sphere is along
a great circle passing through the two points.

2. Consider two points, A = (0, 0) and B(x0 , y0 ) such that y0 < 0 with
gravity acting along the negative y-axis. Find a curve connecting A to B
(or equivalently, construct a frictionless slide connecting A to B) such that
a particle which starting at rest from A and falling under the influence of
gravity takes the least time. Construct the time functional for the particle
and obtain and solve the Euler-Lagrange equations of motion.

3. Consider a simple pendulum supported by a mass M which moves along

a horizontal line. Construct the Lagrangian for the system and derive the
Euler-Lagrange’s equations.

4. Consider a coplanar double pendulum (a pendulum with another pen-

dulum attached to its end). Find the Lagrangian and derive the Euler-
Lagrange’s equations.

5. Consider a disk rolling down an inclined plane. Construct the Lagrangian

and find the equations of motion, the force of constraint and the angular
acceleration.