Mid Sem. Exam.

, Spring Semester 2014-15

Course title: Introduction to Classical Mechanics
Course ID: PH 206
Duration: 2 hrs Maximum Marks: 30
This paper contains six questions. All the questions are compulsory

S.No QUESTIONS Marks

1 If L is a Lagrangian for a system of n degrees of freedom satisfying Lagrange’s [5]

equations, show by direct substitution that
dF ( q1 , q2 ,...qn , t )
L L
dt
also satisfies Lagrange’s equation where F is any arbitrary, but differentiable
function of its arguments.

2 A Lagrangian for a particular physical system can be written as [5]

m K
L ax 2 2bxy cy 2 ax 2 2bxy cy 2
2 2

where a, b, and c are arbitrary constants but subject to the condition that
b 2 ac 0 .What are the equations of motion? Examine particularly the two
cases (i) a 0 c and (ii) b = 0, c a . What is the physical system
described by the above Lagrangian? Show that the usual Lagrangian for this
system is related to L' by a point transformation. What is the significance of the
condition on the value of b 2 ac ?

3 An inextensible string of negligible mass hanging over a smooth peg B [5]

connects one mass m1 on a frictionless inclined plane of angle to another
mass m2. Using D’Alembert’s principle, prove that the masses will be in
equilibrium, if sin = m2/m1
B

m1
m2

m1g
m2g
4 In certain situations, particularly one-dimensional systems, it is possible to [5]
incorporate frictional effects without introducing the dissipation function. As an
example, find the equations of motion for the Lagrangian,

t mq 2 kq 2
L e
2 2
How would you describe the system? Are there any constants of motion?
Suppose a point transformation is made of the form
t/2
s e q
What is the effective Lagrangian in terms of ‘s’ ? Find the equation of motion
for s. What do these results say about the conserved quantities for the system?

5 A heavy particle is placed at the top of a vertical hoop. Calculate the reaction of [5]
the hoop on the particle by means of the Lagrange's undetermined multipliers
and Lagrange's equations. Find the height at which the particle falls off.

6 An electric charge moving in an electric field and magnetic field experiences [5]
Lorentz force F q E (v B) . Both E (t , r ) and B (t , r ) are derivable from a

scalar potential (t , r ) and a vector potential A(t , r ) by,

A
E and B A .
t
Show that the force on the charge can be derived from the potential
U q qA v .