PHY 101: Classical Quantum and Relativistic Mechanics

Assignment 2 [Coordinate systems, Degrees of freedom, Principle of Virtual Work]

Assigned: 28 Aug 2019 Submission: 06 Sept 2019

Write the answers to the following questions in loose A4 size sheets and staple them together. Write
in the top sheet your Name, Roll no, Serial no with batch ID. You need to submit the assign-
ment to the tutors of the respective sections during the tutorials on or before 06 Sept 2019, 4:30 PM.

Problem 1
Two blocks of masses m1 and m2 can move freely on a platform. The block with mass m1 is connected
to a wall by a spring of spring constant k1 , and the block with mass m2 is connected to m1 through
another spring of spring constant k2 . Find the equation of motion for each of the blocks.
Problem 2
A particle is constrained to move in a circle in the vertical plane x-y. Using D’ Alembert principle show
that for equilibrium,
ẍy − ÿx − gx = 0.

Problem 3
A particle of mass m is constrained to move on the inside surface of a smooth cone of half angle α. The
particle is subjected to a gravitational force. Write the Lagrangian and find the Lagrange’s equation of
motion.
Problem 4
Write the Lagrangian of a coupled pendulum for the experimental setup installed in PHY 101 lab.
What are the Euler Lagrange equations of motion?
Problem 5
A cylinder of radius r and mass m rolls without slipping on a fixed cylinder of radius R. Obtain the
Lagrange’s equation of motion for short period of time before the cylinder separates.
Problem 6
A bead slides without friction in a wire that is rotating with an angular velocity ω in the force free
space. Write down the Lagrange’s equation of motion and show that the radial velocity and acceleration
are given as
dr
1/2
= ω 2 r2 + C , C = constant and r̈ = ω 2 r − g sin ωt.
dt