Advanced Classical Physics, Autumn 2016 Problem Sheet 6 – Solutions

1. The kinetic energy is

1
T = m(ẋ2 + ẏ 2 ),
2
and the potential energy consists of contributions from string tensions and gravity,
1 1
V = kx2 + k(y − x)2 + mgx + mgy.
2 2
The Lagrangian is therefore
1 1
L = T − V = m(ẋ2 + ẏ 2 ) − k x2 + (y − x)2 − ./mg(x + y).


2 2
The equilibrium position is given by the minimum of the potential,

∂V
= k(2x − y) + mg = 0,
∂x
∂V
= k(y − x) + mg = 0.
∂y

Solving this pair of equations gives

2mg 3mg
xeq = − , yeq = − .
k k
Perturbing around the equilibrium,
q1 q2
x = xeq + √ , y = yeq + √ ,
m m

the Lagrangian becomes

1 1k
1 1
L = (q̇12 + q̇22 ) − 2q12 − 2q1 q2 + q22 = q̇ · q̇ − q · k · q,
2 2m 2 2
where q = (q1 , q2 ), and
k k
 
2m −m
k= k k .
−m m
The eigenvalues are found from the characteristic equation
  2 k − ω 2 −mk 

2 m
det k − ω 1 =  
k k 2  = 0,

−m m − ω

and are √ √
3− 5 k 3+ 5 k
ω12
= 2
, ω2 = .
2 m 2 m
The normal modes, i.e., the corresponding eigenvectors, are
! !
1√ 1√
q1 = 1+ 5 , q2 = 1− 5 .
2 2

1
Advanced Classical Physics, Autumn 2016 Problem Sheet 6 – Solutions

2. For the Lagrangian

1   1
L = mr2 2θ̇2 + φ̇2 + 2θ̇φ̇ − mgr 2θ2 + φ2 ,


2 2
the canonical momenta are
∂L ∂L
pθ = = mr2 (2θ̇ + φ̇), pφ = = mr2 (θ̇ + φ̇).
∂ θ̇ ∂ φ̇

Solving these for the velocities θ̇ and φ̇, we find

pθ − pφ 2pφ − pθ
θ̇ = , φ̇ = .
mr2 mr2
Therefore the Hamiltonian is
p2θ − 2pθ pφ + 2p2φ 1
+ mgr 2θ2 + φ2 .


H = pθ θ̇ + pφ φ̇ − L =
2mr2 2
3. (a) The arc length, ds along the helix is determined from

(ds)2 = a2 (dθ)2 + (dz)2 , (3.1)

whence we obtain
a2
 
2 2 2 2 2
v = a θ̇ + ż = ż 1 + 2 . (3.2)
b
The kinetic energy, T = 12 mv 2 , combined with the potential energy, U = mgz, yields the
system Lagrangian:
a2
 
1 2
L = T − U = 2 mż 1 + 2 − mgz . (3.3)
b
[5 marks]
(b)
a2
 
∂L
pz = = m 1 + 2 ż . (3.4)
∂ ż b

H (z, pz ) = pz ż − L (z, ż)

 2
a2
 
pz pz
= pz ×   − 12 m    1 + 2 + mgz
m 1+ a 2
m 1+ a2 b
b2 b2

p2z
=   + mgz . (3.5)
a2
2m 1 + b2

[7 marks]
(c)
∂H pz
= ż =  , (3.6)
∂pz m 1+ a2
b2
∂H
= −ṗz = mg . (3.7)
∂z

2
Advanced Classical Physics, Autumn 2016 Problem Sheet 6 – Solutions

Equation (??) yields

a2
 
pz = p0 − mgt = mż 1 + 2 , (3.8)
b
where p0 is an integration constant. Substituting equation (??) into (??) and integrating
yields
p0 t − 12 mgt2
z = z0 + 
2
 . (3.9)
m 1 + ab2

If the particle starts from rest at z = 0 then z0 = 0, p0 = 0 and equation (??) shows that
2
the particle accelerates downwards at a rate g/ 1 + ab2 as required. [6 marks]
 2

(d) Since z0 = p0 = 0, we have pz (t) = −mgt and z(t) = − 21 gt2 / 1 + ab2 . From equation
(??) we then have
p2z
H (z, pz ) =   + mgz
a2
2m 1 + b2

(−mgt)2 1 2
gt
=   − mg  2  = 0. (3.10)
2 2
2m 1 + ab2 1 + ab2

[2 marks]
[TOTAL 20 marks]