Lagrangian corresponding to these equations of motion
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I have the following equations of motion for a system with two degrees of freedom:
$$ddot{q_1}+q_1^2-q_2^2=0$$
and
$$ddot{q_2}+2q_1q_2=0.$$
I have tried to deduce the Lagragian corresponding to this system, but I could not figure out how to obtain the second term in each equation.
$$L=frac{1}{2}left(dot{q_1}+dot{q_2}right)-frac{q_1^3}{3}+q_1q_2^2$$
for example works for the first equation, but not for the second one. Is it possible that no Lagrangian exists for such a system?
homework-and-exercises classical-mechanics lagrangian-formalism coupled-oscillators
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add a comment |
$begingroup$
I have the following equations of motion for a system with two degrees of freedom:
$$ddot{q_1}+q_1^2-q_2^2=0$$
and
$$ddot{q_2}+2q_1q_2=0.$$
I have tried to deduce the Lagragian corresponding to this system, but I could not figure out how to obtain the second term in each equation.
$$L=frac{1}{2}left(dot{q_1}+dot{q_2}right)-frac{q_1^3}{3}+q_1q_2^2$$
for example works for the first equation, but not for the second one. Is it possible that no Lagrangian exists for such a system?
homework-and-exercises classical-mechanics lagrangian-formalism coupled-oscillators
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$begingroup$
Does this describe something physical, or are you just taking two coupled differential equations and seeing if you can pull a Lagrangian from them?
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– Aaron Stevens
4 hours ago
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It does not represent a physical system in the sense that $q_1$ and $q_2$ are spatial coordinates, but I am interested in calculating a possible Lagrangian for the equations in case some properties (such a conservation of a magnitude) can be exploited.
$endgroup$
– TheAverageHijano
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
You can try and deduce the lagrangian from the Lagrange equations that give such equation of motion.
$endgroup$
– Ballanzor
4 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
I have the following equations of motion for a system with two degrees of freedom:
$$ddot{q_1}+q_1^2-q_2^2=0$$
and
$$ddot{q_2}+2q_1q_2=0.$$
I have tried to deduce the Lagragian corresponding to this system, but I could not figure out how to obtain the second term in each equation.
$$L=frac{1}{2}left(dot{q_1}+dot{q_2}right)-frac{q_1^3}{3}+q_1q_2^2$$
for example works for the first equation, but not for the second one. Is it possible that no Lagrangian exists for such a system?
homework-and-exercises classical-mechanics lagrangian-formalism coupled-oscillators
$endgroup$
I have the following equations of motion for a system with two degrees of freedom:
$$ddot{q_1}+q_1^2-q_2^2=0$$
and
$$ddot{q_2}+2q_1q_2=0.$$
I have tried to deduce the Lagragian corresponding to this system, but I could not figure out how to obtain the second term in each equation.
$$L=frac{1}{2}left(dot{q_1}+dot{q_2}right)-frac{q_1^3}{3}+q_1q_2^2$$
for example works for the first equation, but not for the second one. Is it possible that no Lagrangian exists for such a system?
homework-and-exercises classical-mechanics lagrangian-formalism coupled-oscillators
homework-and-exercises classical-mechanics lagrangian-formalism coupled-oscillators
edited 1 hour ago
Qmechanic♦
105k121911206
105k121911206
asked 5 hours ago
TheAverageHijanoTheAverageHijano
4739
4739
$begingroup$
Does this describe something physical, or are you just taking two coupled differential equations and seeing if you can pull a Lagrangian from them?
$endgroup$
– Aaron Stevens
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
It does not represent a physical system in the sense that $q_1$ and $q_2$ are spatial coordinates, but I am interested in calculating a possible Lagrangian for the equations in case some properties (such a conservation of a magnitude) can be exploited.
$endgroup$
– TheAverageHijano
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
You can try and deduce the lagrangian from the Lagrange equations that give such equation of motion.
$endgroup$
– Ballanzor
4 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Does this describe something physical, or are you just taking two coupled differential equations and seeing if you can pull a Lagrangian from them?
$endgroup$
– Aaron Stevens
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
It does not represent a physical system in the sense that $q_1$ and $q_2$ are spatial coordinates, but I am interested in calculating a possible Lagrangian for the equations in case some properties (such a conservation of a magnitude) can be exploited.
$endgroup$
– TheAverageHijano
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
You can try and deduce the lagrangian from the Lagrange equations that give such equation of motion.
$endgroup$
– Ballanzor
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
Does this describe something physical, or are you just taking two coupled differential equations and seeing if you can pull a Lagrangian from them?
$endgroup$
– Aaron Stevens
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
Does this describe something physical, or are you just taking two coupled differential equations and seeing if you can pull a Lagrangian from them?
$endgroup$
– Aaron Stevens
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
It does not represent a physical system in the sense that $q_1$ and $q_2$ are spatial coordinates, but I am interested in calculating a possible Lagrangian for the equations in case some properties (such a conservation of a magnitude) can be exploited.
$endgroup$
– TheAverageHijano
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
It does not represent a physical system in the sense that $q_1$ and $q_2$ are spatial coordinates, but I am interested in calculating a possible Lagrangian for the equations in case some properties (such a conservation of a magnitude) can be exploited.
$endgroup$
– TheAverageHijano
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
You can try and deduce the lagrangian from the Lagrange equations that give such equation of motion.
$endgroup$
– Ballanzor
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
You can try and deduce the lagrangian from the Lagrange equations that give such equation of motion.
$endgroup$
– Ballanzor
4 hours ago
add a comment |
1 Answer
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$begingroup$
I suppose the Lagrangian you found is actually
$$L = frac{1}{2} left( dot{q}_1^2 + dot{q}_2^2 right) - frac{q_1^3}{3} + q_1 q_2^2$$
Well, your solution is already almost correct. If you calculate the equation for $q_2$, you can find
$$ddot{q}_2 - 2 q_1 q_2 = 0$$
There's no way that I can see to change the sign of the second term without affecting the first equation too. But you can act on the first term, and if that becomes negative too, then the second equation matches the one you posted.
$$-ddot{q}_2 - 2 q_1 q_2 = 0$$
This can be achieved simply by changing the sign of $dot{q}_2^2$ in the Lagrangian:
$$L = frac{1}{2} left( dot{q}_1^2 - dot{q}_2^2 right) - frac{q_1^3}{3} + q_1 q_2^2$$
$endgroup$
add a comment |
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1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
$begingroup$
I suppose the Lagrangian you found is actually
$$L = frac{1}{2} left( dot{q}_1^2 + dot{q}_2^2 right) - frac{q_1^3}{3} + q_1 q_2^2$$
Well, your solution is already almost correct. If you calculate the equation for $q_2$, you can find
$$ddot{q}_2 - 2 q_1 q_2 = 0$$
There's no way that I can see to change the sign of the second term without affecting the first equation too. But you can act on the first term, and if that becomes negative too, then the second equation matches the one you posted.
$$-ddot{q}_2 - 2 q_1 q_2 = 0$$
This can be achieved simply by changing the sign of $dot{q}_2^2$ in the Lagrangian:
$$L = frac{1}{2} left( dot{q}_1^2 - dot{q}_2^2 right) - frac{q_1^3}{3} + q_1 q_2^2$$
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
I suppose the Lagrangian you found is actually
$$L = frac{1}{2} left( dot{q}_1^2 + dot{q}_2^2 right) - frac{q_1^3}{3} + q_1 q_2^2$$
Well, your solution is already almost correct. If you calculate the equation for $q_2$, you can find
$$ddot{q}_2 - 2 q_1 q_2 = 0$$
There's no way that I can see to change the sign of the second term without affecting the first equation too. But you can act on the first term, and if that becomes negative too, then the second equation matches the one you posted.
$$-ddot{q}_2 - 2 q_1 q_2 = 0$$
This can be achieved simply by changing the sign of $dot{q}_2^2$ in the Lagrangian:
$$L = frac{1}{2} left( dot{q}_1^2 - dot{q}_2^2 right) - frac{q_1^3}{3} + q_1 q_2^2$$
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
I suppose the Lagrangian you found is actually
$$L = frac{1}{2} left( dot{q}_1^2 + dot{q}_2^2 right) - frac{q_1^3}{3} + q_1 q_2^2$$
Well, your solution is already almost correct. If you calculate the equation for $q_2$, you can find
$$ddot{q}_2 - 2 q_1 q_2 = 0$$
There's no way that I can see to change the sign of the second term without affecting the first equation too. But you can act on the first term, and if that becomes negative too, then the second equation matches the one you posted.
$$-ddot{q}_2 - 2 q_1 q_2 = 0$$
This can be achieved simply by changing the sign of $dot{q}_2^2$ in the Lagrangian:
$$L = frac{1}{2} left( dot{q}_1^2 - dot{q}_2^2 right) - frac{q_1^3}{3} + q_1 q_2^2$$
$endgroup$
I suppose the Lagrangian you found is actually
$$L = frac{1}{2} left( dot{q}_1^2 + dot{q}_2^2 right) - frac{q_1^3}{3} + q_1 q_2^2$$
Well, your solution is already almost correct. If you calculate the equation for $q_2$, you can find
$$ddot{q}_2 - 2 q_1 q_2 = 0$$
There's no way that I can see to change the sign of the second term without affecting the first equation too. But you can act on the first term, and if that becomes negative too, then the second equation matches the one you posted.
$$-ddot{q}_2 - 2 q_1 q_2 = 0$$
This can be achieved simply by changing the sign of $dot{q}_2^2$ in the Lagrangian:
$$L = frac{1}{2} left( dot{q}_1^2 - dot{q}_2^2 right) - frac{q_1^3}{3} + q_1 q_2^2$$
answered 4 hours ago
GRBGRB
9551722
9551722
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$begingroup$
Does this describe something physical, or are you just taking two coupled differential equations and seeing if you can pull a Lagrangian from them?
$endgroup$
– Aaron Stevens
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
It does not represent a physical system in the sense that $q_1$ and $q_2$ are spatial coordinates, but I am interested in calculating a possible Lagrangian for the equations in case some properties (such a conservation of a magnitude) can be exploited.
$endgroup$
– TheAverageHijano
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
You can try and deduce the lagrangian from the Lagrange equations that give such equation of motion.
$endgroup$
– Ballanzor
4 hours ago