- #1
1v1Dota2RightMeow
- 76
- 7
Homework Statement
Find the equation of motion of the object by setting the derivative of the total energy equal to zero.
Homework Equations
r(theta)=(Rcos(theta), Rsin(theta), q*theta)
v(theta)=dr/dt=(-Rsin(theta)dtheta/dt, Rcos(theta)dtheta/dt, q*dtheta/dt)
derivative of Total Energy = m(dtheta/dt)(d^2theta/dt^2)(R^2+q^2)+m*g*q*dtheta/dt
The Attempt at a Solution
I worked it all out to the point of finding the derivative of the total energy above. But I'm confused now. What does it mean to find an equation of motion? Let's start with that because if I don't know what an equation of motion will even look like, then I won't have any clue if I've found it or if I'm even on the right track.