Homework 2: Lagrangian Equations of Motion

Prof. Miguel Mostaf a Colorado State University

(Dated: Due in class on September 22, 2010)

1. A particle moving in the potential U ( x ) = F x, travels from the point x = 0 to the point x = a in a time . Find the time dependence of the position of the particle, assuming it to be of the form x (t) = A t2 + B t + C, and determining the constants A, B, and C such that the action is minimum. 2. A particle moves in the x-y plane in the potential U ( x, y) = 0 x < 0, and U ( x, y) = V x > 0, and travels in a time from the point ( a, 0) to the point ( a, a). Find its position as a function of time, assuming that it satises the equations: x = Ai t + Bi y = Ci t + Di , where the index i = 1, 2 refers to the left-hand (x < 0) and right-hand (x > 0) half-planes. 3. Prove by direct calculation the invariance of the Lagrangian equations of motion under the coordinate transformation: qi = qi ( Q1 , Q2 , ..., Qs , t); where i = 1, 2, ..., s.

4. What is the change in the Lagrangian in order that the Lagrangian equations of motion retain their form under the transformation to new coordinates and time given by q = q ( Q, ) t = t ( Q, ).
dx ( x, x = d 5. Write down the Lagrangian L , ) and the equations of motion for a particle moving in a potential U ( x ), introducing a local time = t x.

6. How does the Lagrangian

L=

dx dt

transform when we change to the coordinate q and time through the equations: x = q cosh + sinh , t = q sinh + cosh ?
Note: This problem is purely formal. However, both this Lagrangian and the transformation considered (improved by the introduction of dimensional factors) have a simple physical meaning in the theory of relativity.

7. Estimate the magnitude of the Coriolis force. Do you think it can affect the motion of water going down the sink? What about the direction in which a CD spins? 8. A particle moves in the ( x, y) plane with a force directed towards the origin, and with a magnitude proportional to the distance to the origin. Write Lagranges equations of motion in hyperbolic coordinates: 2 x y = , x + y2 = . 9. How do the energy and the generalized momenta change under the coordinate transformation qi = f i ( Q1 , ..., Qs , t), where i = 1, ..., s?
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