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2014 . 6 . 20

1. (50 pts) For (a)-(c): A container truck moves

along the axis at a constant speed . Inside the
container, a small mass oscillates along the axis

2. (50 pts) Two masses and move smoothly

on a fixed wedge under the influence of gravity .

held by a massless spring with a spring constant They are connected by a massless thread of length
and an equilibrium length .

together.

(a) (15 pts) Specify the Hamiltonian of the

system composed of the spring and the mass in
the lab frame. Is equal to the energy of the
system? Is a conserved quantity? Also obtain the

(a) (5 pts) Write down the constraints in terms of

(For

convenience

one

might use

also). What is the number of degrees of freedom in

Hamilton equations of motion.

this system?
(b) (5 pts) Specify the Hamiltonian in the
comoving frame in terms of the comoving coordinate

(see

figure)

and

obtain

the

Hamilton

(b) (5 pts) Choose generalized coordinate(s) from the

result of (a) and express in terms of the
generalized coordinate(s) and .

equations of motion.

(c) (10 pts) Solve the equation of motion in (b), and (c) (10 pts) Formulate the Lagrangian and obtain the
Lagrange equation(s) of motion.
then also solve the equation of motion in (a).
(d) (20 pts) For (d) only, suppose that the mass of (d) (10 pts) Solve the Lagrange equation(s) for

the container truck is M and the container truck now boundary conditions , , and
glides smoothly on the ground (without any external find the equilibrium condition.
driving force).

Also, consider the truck as part of the

system, i.e., now and are independent variables. (e) (20 pts) Set up the Lagrangian in terms of .
Set up the Hamiltonian and the equations of motion This time, introduce a Lagrangian multiplier to deal
(no need to solve).
angular

frequency

Finally, find the non-zero with

of

the

Hamiltonian equation of motion.

system

from

constraint

related

to

Obtain

Lagrange

your equations of motion and find the tension on the

thread. What is the value of the tension using the
equilibrium condition of (d)?

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2013 . 06. 28

1. (40 pts)

(e)

Consider a simple pendulum under the gravity as

in the figure.

When

and

the

equation of motion can be simplified as follows.

Find the two angular frequencies and for
the normal modes of this two pendulum system.
You can assume that and are small. (8 pts)

(a) Suppose that the pendulum has been released

from an angle . Find the speed of the
pendulum as a function of . (5 pts)
(b) When is limited to small angles, find the
period of the pendulum. (4 pts)
(c) Discuss qualitatively (or quantitatively, if you
want) the change in the period as the amplitude
of the pendulum increases. (6 pts)
(d) Now the previous pendulum
modified as follows. (10 pts)

has

been

Find the equations of motion for each mass,

and . You can assume that and are
small.

(f) Continuing the configuration (e) to identical

particles and taking continuum limit
with
discuss
finite,
finite,
qualitatively dynamics of the system when the
lowest endpoint is shaken up around equilibrium
point. (8 pts) [Hint: Try to estimate the angular
frequency of the lowest normal mode in
comparison with a horizontal string with a
constant tension.]