[Math] System of 3-pulley in lagrangian approach

classical-mechanicseuler-lagrange-equationphysics

I have the following problem that is in Symon Mechanics cap. 9 exercise 8:

Masses $m$ and $2m$ are suspended from a string of lenght $l_1$ wich passes over a pulley. Masses $3m$ and $4m$ are similarly suspended by a string of lenght $l_2$ over another pulley. There two pulleys hang from the ends of a string of lenght $l_3$ over a third pulley fixed. Set up Lagrange eq's and find the accelerations and tensions in the strings.


Then this is my goal: See the picture below, it represents the system. enter image description here

In the figure 'Polia' $n =$ 'Pulley' $n$. Note that we have marked an origin at the center of the pulley that hang the other two. With that I've constructed the coordinates of each mass:

\begin{equation}
1m : \left \{ \begin{matrix}
\tilde{x}_{1} = -R_3-R_1 \\
\tilde{y}_1 = -(x_5+x_1)
\end{matrix}\right.
\end{equation}

\begin{equation}
2m : \left \{ \begin{matrix}
\tilde{x}_{2} = -R_3+R_1 \\
\tilde{y}_2 = -(x_5+x_2) = -x_5 – (l_1-x_1)
\end{matrix}\right.
\end{equation}

\begin{equation}
3m : \left \{ \begin{matrix}
\tilde{x}_{3} = R_3-R_2 \\
\tilde{y}_3 = -(x_6+x_3) = -(l_3-x_5)-x_3
\end{matrix}\right.
\end{equation}

\begin{equation}
4m : \left \{ \begin{matrix}
\tilde{x}_{4} = R_3+R_2 \\
\tilde{y}_4 = -(x_6+x_4) = -(l_3-x_5) – (l_2-x_3)
\end{matrix}\right.
\end{equation}

with the constrains

\begin{equation}
\left \{ \begin{matrix}
x_1+x_2 = l_1 \\
x_3+x_4 = l_2 \\
x_5+x_6= l_3
\end{matrix}\right.
\end{equation}

This will imply in the below kinetic and potential energy

$$T = \frac{m}{2}(\dot{x}_5+\dot{x}_1)^2 + \frac{2m}{2}(\dot{x}_5 – \dot{x}_1)^2 + \frac{3m}{2}(-\dot{x}_5+\dot{x}_3)^2 +\frac{4m}{2}(\dot{x}_5+\dot{x}_3)^2$$

and

$$U = -mg(x_1+x_5) – 2mg(x_5 + l_1 -x_1) – 3mg(l_3-x_5+x_3)-4mg(l_3+l_2-x_5-x_3)$$

Question: Have I missed something? The accelerations I'll get from the equations of motion for $x_1,x_3,x_5$ will be the accelerations of the string, so I just need to construct $\mathcal{L} = T – U$ and set the Euler-Lagrange Equations? Is this a wrong way to write the lagrangian? If I construct the lagrangian as I stated, it will be the correct lagrangian for the system?

Best Answer

$$ T=\frac{1}{2} m (\dot x_1+\dot x_3)^2+m (\dot x_1-\dot x_5)^2+\frac{3}{2} m (\dot x_3-\dot x_5)^2+2 m (\dot x_3+\dot x_5)^2 $$

and

$$ V=-2 g m (l_1-x_1+x_5)-4 g m (l_2+l_3-x_3-x_5)-3 g m (l_3+x_3-x_5)-g m (x_1+x_3) $$

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