Scribd
Upload
1 views

Mechanics

The document contains notes on various physics topics, including problem formulation related to shortest paths and Fermat's principle, the Euler-Lagrange equation, and Lagrange's equation in classical mechanics. It discusses constrained systems, the two-body problem, inertia reference frames, rotational motion, and coupled oscillators. The notes also touch on basic linear algebra, providing hints and formulas for solving related problems.

Uploaded by

duckgia66
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
1 views

Mechanics

The document contains notes on various physics topics, including problem formulation related to shortest paths and Fermat's principle, the Euler-Lagrange equation, and Lagrange's equation in classical mechanics. It discusses constrained systems, the two-body problem, inertia reference frames, rotational motion, and coupled oscillators. The notes also touch on basic linear algebra, providing hints and formulas for solving related problems.

Uploaded by

duckgia66
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 5

Notes on physics reading

Duc Gia
July 2024

1 Problem formulation

1.1 Shortest paths and Fermat's principle


Hints: Write down ds formula and sum all in paths from 1 to 2. Finally, write
in terms of Catersian coordinate.

Fermat principle: Lights travel paths which takes shortest time. Refractive
index is: c
n=
v

1.2 Sol:
2 Euler-Lagrange equation

2.1 One-dimensional case


Hint: what we have to solve for is a stationary point of a functional

F (y) = ∫ f (y, y ′ , x)dx

In simple form, it is:


F (Y ) − F (y)
F ′ (y) = lim
Y →y ∥Y − y∥
The key is to write
Y = y + αη
so that α should approach 0 and η be arbitrary. We x η and then solve for
F ′ (α) = 0. Use Lebnitz to derive what we want.

2.2 General case


WRITE YOUR ANSWER HERE....

1
2.3 Shortest paths between two points
2.4 The Brachistochrone problem
Hint: In short, we assume two endpoints for the motion (x1 , y1 ) and (x2 , y2 )
with the only involved force is gravity. This path can be achieved by an arbitrary
throw.

3 Lagrange equation in classical mechanics

Trivial examples can be found in re-writing of Newton's second law in Lagrange


form. We dene Lagrange function to be:
L = WRITE HERE...

Due to(WRITE HERE):

we can conclude that the functional (WRITE HERE)

3.1 Constrained system


One example would be a pendulum oscillating around a xed point. The con-
strain is: (WRITE HERE...)

We can solve using a Φ-coordinate system and Lagrange function:(WRITE


HERE).

There's a more "general version" of this. Consider a system of both non-


conservative and conservative forces, where we assume that our constrain is
holonomic. We can show that Hamilton's principle holds.

A special case is the motion of a point conned to a 2-d curve.

Hints: We must show that under the second law of Newton, the functional
of Lagrange function
t2
S=∫ L(r, ṙ, x)dx
t1
t2
S0 = ∫ L(R, Ṙ, x)dx
t1

leads to a δS = 0 where we're taking the limit R → r(both are functions). Our
conclusion is:(WRITE HERE...)

2
3.2 Atwood machine
Hints: Due to the conclusion, we can use Lagrange's equation. You should write
down the Newtonian approach, too.

3.3 Hooke's force on a particle coned into a Cylinder


Hints: Use cyclidral coordinates (ρ, Φ, z) where we assume that ρ = R in the
whole motion.

3.4 Moving wedge


Hints: State the constrain and use Lagrange's equation.

4 Two-body problem

4.1 Choosing coordinate


4.2 Problem equivalence
4.3 Angular momentum consideration
4.4 Lagrange equation and energy consideration
Hint: After we get an equation for double-dot r, try to solve for u(Φ) by estab-
lishing a dierential equation. The trick is to consider
1 d dΦ d
u= ; =
r dt dt dΦ

Note that we already have an equation for Φ̇ in Lagrange's equation.

3
4.5 Special case of no gravitational force
4.6 Possible orbits(bounded and unbounded motion)
4.6.1 Frequency in bounded motion

4.6.2 Mechanical energy

4.6.3 UnBounded

5 Inertia reference frame

5.1 General principle


5.2 Pendulum in an accelerating car
5.3 Uniformly rotating frame with two inertia forces
5.4 Real value of earth aceleration
6 Rotational motion in the motion of rigid bodies

6.1 Analyze motions in terms of angular momentum, ki-


netic energy and potential energy
Take-away points: Angular momentum components; Angular momentum's rate
of change.

4
6.2 Angular momentum in simple case - Angular momen-
tum points in the z-direction
6.3 Example: Solid ring with mass
6.4 General case - relation between angular momentum
and angular velocity
6.5 Inertia tensor and angular momentum in cubes
6.5.1 Case I: Through origin, along the x-axis

6.5.2 Case II: Through origin, along the main diagonal

6.5.3 Case II: Through center

6.6 In cones
6.7 Principal axes
6.8 Solve for principal axes of cubes
7 Coupled oscillators

7.1 General analysis


7.2 Equal masses and equal Hooke's constant
7.3 Weakly coupled but equal masses
Hints to describe motion: Since k2 is too small compared to k, the two modes
are oscillating with almost the same speed. Let
ω1 + ω2
ω0 =
2
ω1 = ω0 − ϵ; ω2 = ω0 + ϵ
with some small constant ϵ. Next, write down the two z1 (t) and z2 (t).

Now, let's consider the simple case where two constants of the solution are
equal: Two masses are throwing energy to another since the middle spring is
way too weak! The one whose energy is drained stops and the other oscillating.

8 Basic linear algebra

8.1

You might also like

pFad - Phonifier reborn

Pfad - The Proxy pFad of © 2024 Garber Painting. All rights reserved.

Note: This service is not intended for secure transactions such as banking, social media, email, or purchasing. Use at your own risk. We assume no liability whatsoever for broken pages.


Alternative Proxies:

Alternative Proxy

pFad Proxy

pFad v3 Proxy

pFad v4 Proxy