285 Problems
4.13. A dumbbell consists of two particles, each of mass m, connected by a massless rod of
length l. It moves on a smooth spherical depression of radius r. The configuration of
the system is given by the generalized coordinates (α, θ, φ), where θ>0 and where
the positive
˙
φ vector is in the e
3
direction. Let φ = 0 when the rod is horizontal. The
unit vectors e
2
and e
3
lie in the plane of triangle O12. The center of mass C moves
on a sphere of radius R = (r
2
−
1
4
l
2
)
1/2
. A knife-edge constraint allows no velocity
component of particle 1 in the e
1
direction. Choose (v, ω
3
) as independent us, where
v is the velocity component of C in the e
2
direction and ω
3
is the e
3
component of the
angular velocity ω of O12. (a) Find the differential equations of motion. (b) Obtain
the kinematic expressions for ˙α,
˙
θ, and
˙
φ as functions of the qs and us.
1
2
m
m
v
α
r
r
g
R
θ
3
e
3
e
1
e
2
Z
C
X
Y
1
2
l
1
2
l
␣
.
.
O
.
.
X
Y
P
O
C
Z
φ
q
θ
φ
.
.
ω
0
r
l
mg
j
k
Ω
i
Figure P 4.13. Figure P 4.14.
4.14. The point P of an axially symmetric top moves with a constant angular velocity ω
0
around a horizontal circular path of radius r .Attimet = 0, the line OP has the
direction of the positive X -axis. The frame XY Z is nonrotating and translates with
P. Use type II Euler angles as qs and (
˙
φ,
˙
θ,)asus, where is the total angular
velocity about the symmetry axis. (a) Find the differential equations of motion. (b)
Obtain the energy rate
˙
E as a function of (q, u, t), assuming that the kinetic energy
is calculated relative to the XYZ frame. (c) Find the possible steady precession
rates, that is,
˙
φ = ω
0
with the top leaning outward at a constant angle θ
0
and with
φ − ω
0
t = π/2. Assume that
2
is sufficiently large to ensure stability.
4.15. A rectangular block of mass m has a massless axle and wheels attached along its base,
and can roll without slipping on the horizontal XY-plane (Fig. P 4.15). The origin O
of the xyz body-fixed principal axis system is the reference point at the midpoint of
the axle. The y-axis is horizontal and the x-axis makes an angle θ with the horizontal
plane. Choose (X, Y,φ,θ) as generalized coordinates and (v,
˙
φ,
˙
θ)asus. (a) Obtain
the differential equations of motion. (b) Find the kinematic equations for
˙
X and
˙
Y .