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A planet of mass m moves in R3 under a central force F ( r ) =
dr
in spherical coordinates, so
( x , y , z ) =( r cos()sin ( ) ,r sin ()sin ( ) ,r cos () )
Find the Lagrangian from first principles, in terms of (r, , ) and their time
derivatives.
Hence
a. show that h, defined by h=mr 2 sin 2() is a constant of the motion.
b. derive the other two equations of motion.
2. A spring hanging vertically under gravity Consider a mass m on the end of a spring of
natural length l and spring constant k. Let y be the vertical coordinate of the mass
as measured from the top of the spring. Assume the mass can only move up and down
in the vertical direction. Show that
1 1
L= m y2 k ( yl )2 +mgy
2 2
Determine the corresponding Euler-Lagrange equations of motion.