Lagrangian Equations:

Form 1:

d T
T

=W
dt q k q k

( )

where
T is kinetic energy

W=

V
is the work functionV is potential energy
qk

q1 , q2 , , q n are the generalized coordinates

for ex :caseof rectangular coordinates, q 1=x ,q 2= yq3=z
case of spherical coordinates ,q 1=r , q2 =q3=

Form 2:

d L
L

=0
dt q k q k

( )

where
L=T V is called the Lagrangian .

Relation between Form 1 and 2 :

Few Examples:
Example 1

here as motion isone dimension ( along x axis ) , there is only one coordinatei .e qi =x

q i =x .
q k Form 2 has be takenas qi .

This is the Lagrangian equation of Motion for Spring.

..

Example 2:
Equations of motion for a particle constrained to move in a plane subject to a central
dV
force f (r) where f ( r ) = dr where V is the potential .

as motion istwo dimension ( along plane ) ,there are two coordinates i. e q 1=r q2 =

Where

f (r )=

dV
dr

The Lagrange equations are given by

d L L 0d L L
=
=0
dt r
r
dt

( )

( )

(1)

and

(2)

(1) and (2) are the required Lagrange equations of motions.

Example 3:

Example 4:

.
Example 5:

1
T = m ( x 2 + y 2+z2 )
2
butcylindrical coordinates x= cos , y= sin z=z
find x , y z ; subtituteequation for T .

..
Example 6: