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IIT KGP Classical Mechanics Test 2

This document is a test paper for the Classical Mechanics course at IIT KGP, consisting of four questions related to principles of virtual work, Hamiltonian mechanics, and action-angle variables. Each question has specific parts that require derivations and proofs, with marked distributions indicating the weight of each part. The test is scheduled for October 31, 2025, and emphasizes clarity and relevance in responses.

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40 views1 page

IIT KGP Classical Mechanics Test 2

This document is a test paper for the Classical Mechanics course at IIT KGP, consisting of four questions related to principles of virtual work, Hamiltonian mechanics, and action-angle variables. Each question has specific parts that require derivations and proofs, with marked distributions indicating the weight of each part. The test is scheduled for October 31, 2025, and emphasizes clarity and relevance in responses.

Uploaded by

anweshajee2023
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Department of Physics, IIT KGP

Classical Mechanics (PH31207)


Class Test - 02 , Date - 31/10/25
Instructions: Answer all four questions. Don’t write any irrelevant things, keep things clean and
simple.
Questions
1. (a) State the Principle of Virtual Work.
(b) An inextensible string of negligible mass hang-
ing over a smooth peg B connects one mass m1
on a frictionless inclined plane of angle θ an-
other mass m2 as shown in Figure (1). By ap-
B
plying the principle of virtual work, prove that
the masses will be in equilibrium,

m2
sin θ =

m2
m1

m1
Marks distribution for Q1: 2+3
90◦ θ

A C ẑ

Figure 1: Problem 1

2. The Hamiltonian is given by :


p2 K
H= − (1)
2 q
Where K is a constant. The system is conservative but take total energy E as negative, i.e. E = −ϵ
where ϵ > 0.
(a) Write down the Hamilton-Jacobi equation for this given Hamiltonian.
(b) Obtain the Hamilton’s principal function S in integral form.
K
(c) Substitute q = sin2 θ in the integral and perform the integration. At the end re-substitute θ
ϵ
and put all in terms of q.
Marks distribution for Q2: 1+2+2
3. The Hamiltonian for the linear harmonic oscillator is given by :

1 h 2 i
H= p + m2 ω 2 q2 (2)
2m

(a) Write down the Hamilton-Jacobi equation for this given Hamiltonian.
(b) Show that the function
mω h 2 i
S= q + α2 cot (ωt) − mωqα cosec(ωt) (3)
2

is a solution for the Hamilton-Jacobi equation for Hamilton’s principal function.


Marks distribution for Q3: 1+4
4. The action variable J is defined as :
I
J= p dq (4)

Using action-angle variables find out the frequency of oscillation ν of the simple harmonic oscilla-
tor. Hamiltonian has the form as given by Eq. (2).
Marks distribution for Q4: 5

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